WARSAW, Poland — Jewish and Christian leaders prayed over the ruins of gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau as some warned on International Holocaust Remembrance Day of rising xenophobic hatred against Jews, Muslims and others. Dozens of Auschwitz survivors began a day of commemorations by placing wreaths and flowers at the infamous execution wall on the 72nd anniversary of the camp's liberation by Soviet soldiers. Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe United Nations recognized January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2005, and many commemorative events were held across the world. Albania was the only country in Europe where the number of the Jews during World War II increased after the Muslim majority population provided refuge to Jews fleeing other countries. On Friday, rising far-right sentiments cast a shadow on some remembrance day events, including in Germany.

Source: International New York Times January 27, 2017 10:33 UTC