Harvey Sarner (1934-2007)

The Center for Islamic Pluralism asks for prayer and other memorials to Harvey Sarner, who died at 73 in Palm Springs, California.

Harvey Sarner was a doctor and lawyer, and a major contributor to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is best known, however, for his documentation of the actions by Albanians to save Jews during the second world war. Dr. Sarner, a praiseworthy member of the House of Israel, recorded the deeds of Albanians, most of them Muslim, who put their lives at risk by defying the Nazi authorities. Albania was the only country in Axis-occupied Europe to have a larger Jewish population at the end of the war than at its beginning, mainly comprising refugees.

Thanks to Dr. Sarner, who will be buried in Jerusalem, Albanian Muslims who saved Jews are now honored at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial complex.

CIP will call for honors to Harvey Sarner at the Harabati Bektashi institution in Macedonia during Nevruz Sultan later in March, and asks that he be remembered and commemorated by all Muslims.

Kemal Silay, President
Stephen Sulejman Schwartz, Executive Director
Khaleel Mohammed, U.S. West Coast Director

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