Welsh Conservative Regional AM for South Wales West Dr Altaf Hussain has called upon groups from all communities and faiths to “remember the lessons of our recent past” as he attended a service at LLandaff Cathedral to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Dr Hussain – who has been a vocal critic of multiculturalism and has spoken out prominently in favour of integration across communities, said “The lessons of the holocaust are sadly all too relevant for us now in 2016. Whilst some actively supported or facilitated state policies of persecution, the vast majority stood by silently – at best, afraid to speak out; at worst, indifferent.
“This carries with us an important message for all of us today. When groups and communities are allowed to evolve in parallel they cease to know each other, and may begin to mistrust each other and blame one and other for their perceived woes. This is true for all sections of society – a message of hate against a particular group defined through creed, colour or religion can lead all of society down a dangerous road.
“It has never been more vital that we remember the lessons of our recent past. Whilst the Holocaust during World War Two lives on to haunt our imagination, the last twenty years has also seen so-called ethnic cleansing take place on our doorstep in the former Yugoslavia. Equally, the genocide in Rwanda – whilst more remote to our everyday lives – carries lessons about the consequences of blind hatred toward others and the fragmentation of society.
“Ultimately, the message must be one where integration of all faiths and communities is actively encouraged. God is one, and so is the human race. The evils of World War Two relied upon people believing that some human beings were fundamentally different – and lesser – than others and this is at the core of what we must be mindful of today. We all have a duty to vocally oppose such destructive standpoints wherever we may witness them.”
ENDS