How This Gay, Jewish Man Was Saved From the Nazis by a Muslim Woman | NowThis

‘She kept a knife under her pillow vowing to kill any Nazi who might try to come and get me.’ - Gay, Jewish man Dr. Alfred Münzer survived the Holocaust as a child thanks to a kind Indonesian Muslim woman.
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Al Munzer: The only view that I had of the outside world was what I could see through a mail slot.
This gay, Jewish man survived the Holocaust as a child hidden by a Muslim woman
Dr. Alfred Münzer, Holocaust survivor: Here was a woman who was very, very different from me. You know, I came from a Jewish background. I was Caucasian. She was a dark skinned, Indonesian, Muslim, with heavy Buddhist influence. And she’s the one who really protected me.
6-month-old Al Münzer was a hidden child with the Madna family in
Nazi-occupied Holland during WWII.
Al Munzer: I slept in Mima’s bed and she kept a knife under her pillow vowing to kill any Nazi who might try to come and get me. That’s how far she was willing to go to protect me.
When Nazis began imprisoning Dutch Jews, the Münzer family went into hiding. Al’s parents separated their children to increase their chances of survival. They placed Al with the Madnas, Indonesian immigrants who were friends of their neighbors’.
Al Munzer: I’m not quite sure what the Indonesian community - why they were never targeted specifically by the Nazis. They were preoccupied with other groups. And, you know, they were going by their own book, if you will. So they were never persecuted.
Al Munzer: I have very few actual memories of being a hidden child. What I do remember for example is that I wasn’t allowed out of the house at all. I wasn’t allowed even allowed to come near a window for fear that people on the outside might see a child who looked very very differently from the rest of the family that I was hidden with, the Madna family and so on which might cause a Nazi officer to come to the house and search. So the only view that I had of the outside world was what I could see through a mail slot. [...] And then periodically the family would ask me to go into a closet to hide and it sort of became a game almost with me. I had no idea that that was because the house was being searched.
Al’s father pretended to be a patient at a psychiatric hospital, while his mother became a nurse’s assistant. His sisters were to blend in with a Catholic family. Mima Saïna, a housekeeper for the Madnas, became like a mother to Al.
Al Munzer: She saw a child in need, a Jewish child, and she became that Jewish child’s mother. And it’s really to her that I owe my survival. You know, she would have to walk miles and miles every day just to get food for me because everything was strictly rationed. And you had to have coupons, ration coupons for everything and there weren’t any for me because I was in the house illegally.
Al came to terms with his sexuality as an adult.
Al Munzer: I’m not sure whether there is a clear intersection between [being Jewish and being gay]. Except that, you know, that I was a part of a major persecution called the Holocaust and that I lost many family members as a result of that hate and persecution and that I’m also a member of another group. You know, being gay. And during the Holocaust many people who were gay were persecuted as well. They did not all meet the same fate as the Jewish population but they were persecuted for being different.
Nazis arrested roughly 100,000 gay men
Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
An estimated 5,000- 15,000 were sent to concentration camps
Source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Al Munzer: I represent in a sense, you know, both of those. I am Jewish. And so I bear the scars of the Holocaust. And I’m gay and I’m quite aware of the fact that there is homophobia in this world that we ought to fight every bit as hard as we do Anti-Semitism.
Al’s father died at the hands of the Nazis. His sisters, ages 6 and 8, were killed after being betrayed by their caretakers.
#Holocaust #Jewish #Gay #Muslim #History
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[@jenifer2193]

I'm indonesian and this is really makes me proud her so much,I'm just really speechless rn

[@charzipuddin6129]

Hi j j👋🏽 I’m Indo, my parents were born on Java in the 1930s

[@patdan123]

I'm Indonesian and i think this country of mine is in its days of reckoning. We wanted to make peace with what we are. An inclusive and multicultural society

[@Anonymous-sy5kx]

I'm muslim and this makes me very proud of her

[@Anonymous-sy5kx]

@Cincinnati Reds the best of muslims come everywhere. I have been to Indonesia though their population is mainly muslims but majority of muslims dont behave like muslims...they are more inclined to western ways and you would even find Muslim girls marrying non Muslim white boys...very common

[@patthanboy444]

j j YOU HAVE AN IDENTITY MORE THAN JUST AN INDONESIAN...

[@retajsalah9557]

She just worked by what Quran says ((Repel the Evil deed with one which is better )) Do every good deed for the sake of Allah (God) this is the real Islam ..is to show mercy 🤲🤲🤲❤️

[@carljohnson2194]

Retaj Salah yeah it’s so beautiful mashallah

[@angelsamson5486]

🙏❤️🌟

[@ash1451]

"To save one life is to save all of mankind" - Holy Qur'an

[@UzairKhan-zx4te]

Ashh nice one bruv

[@Penn.obsessed]

@Shanu Aaliyah's Fan B.RovaidYousaf.S Welcome to Islam sis.🥰

[@aliman6377]

This is the compassion Islam brings for his fellow man. We are all one ummah. We all have rights to protect one another , regardless of race , religion, tribe. We are all one humanity. We all answer to Allah

[@aliman6377]

spf5Ø , you should know I suppose since yo7 are the product of one! How’s your relationship with your real dad?

[@hahshfghj7457]

@@lynchaxxonn you are a clown internet rambo

[@divasbraidz]

spf5Ø and bombing innocent

[@ok-70707]

@@divasbraidz that title goes to whites and jews

[@renjurichard]

@@aliman6377 read Quran 9:29

[@rikzalmuhammad1731]

i am an indonesia i am a muslim thank you sir for bringing this story 🤗😍🙏

[@vant-v3o]

Hello from a Jew i will show some respect to you

[@heygirl6386]

Alright. Who cried. I know it wasnt just me

[@grendelum]

Oh man, his sisters...

[@grantprice4456]

Yeah when he said what happened to his sisters... it was too much. RIP ♥️♥️

[@boarder6246]

Lish, you are a scumbag. You should lock yourself in a basement for the rest of your life.

[@krystalphan8871]

@@EJ-zx5cz get a life

[@dougquintal921]

me!

[@chekroun2534]

That's the real Islam.

[@ultimatebully2080]

bomb alert

[@ultimatebully2080]

WAAAAAA my googoo book (kookooQuran)

[@lanarh4282]

@@ultimatebully2080 shut up

[@ultimatebully2080]

@@lanarh4282 No nerd, you shut up.

[@lanarh4282]

@@ultimatebully2080 no u are racist

[@DanielTongol21]

Nothing but respect for the Indonesian woman and him 🥂❤️

[@SummeRain783]

Daniel Ramsey don’t forget she’s a Muslim too. We love our Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters

[@boogiedownbronx73]

My grandparents are Dutch-Indonesian from Muslim part of Indonesia but raised Catholic. My grandfather got imprisoned by the Japanese and survived the nuclear bomb in Nagasaki because he was saved by a Japanese woman. In the end all humans are the same.

[@frustatedhooman9323]

Indeed.

[@morelosazucena]

Selfless love knows no discrimination

[@ultimatebully2080]

hello. I am so sorry to hear that your dad left your family. It must have been hard growing up waiting for him to come back with the milk. and now look at you

[@SummeRain783]

This made me cry. May Allah grant this man Jannah for his struggles. Ameen. May Allah also grant the woman Jannah for loving, nurturing and protecting him when he was a helpless child. Ameen

[@SummeRain783]

Shanu Aaliyah's Fan B.RovaidYousaf.S Ameen Rabbi al Ameen. Welcome back to the deen sis. May Allah make you of the best of us. Ameen ❤️

[@daniellemcalpine-hawkins6756]

We as Muslims should always be like this , love humanity , even the ones that hate us for no reason ...... one day I hope this Ummah will come together as one and change the view the world has of Islam with the help of Allah

[@renjurichard]

@Aaliyah's Fan Shano RovaidApridiwatch acts17apologetics

[@homiekeen23]

I can't think of any muslim I know who would say may Allah grant a jew Jannah. You're truly a breath of fresh air 😭😭😭 may god bless you 💕💕💕

[@vant-v3o]

Amen the wars will go away

[@mochiboy7750]

as a black Dutch indonesian person, this does put a smile on my face

[@toughnut3972]

Tell bibi sheytanyahu to stop killing those little babies in Gaza

[@killermoon635]

What are these little babies ?

[@animelife4882]

@@killermoon635 really?

[@seventhlight8536]

@@animelife4882 Everyday.

[@animelife4882]

@@seventhlight8536 I know mate I was being sarcastic to that ignoramus mate.

[@logbydhamo9478]

tough nut excellent comment perfect

[@clydebalcom8252]

I've heard of this before. The Muslim world is as diverse as any other. There are some good people in every religion that part with stereotype. Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish you the very best in all your endeavors.

[@mechtron2544]

Are you trying to say that the muslim stereotype is that of being evil, not good? And that there are 'some'good ppl in every religion??

[@carljohnson2194]

Mumtaz Hussain bro calm down I don’t think he’s against our religion. Salaam

[@lawtraf8008]

@@carljohnson2194 He is lol

[@carljohnson2194]

@@lawtraf8008 how

[@michaelgauro]

I am so sorry, that you lost so many members of your family. I am ashamed of what my country has done to you. Never again!

[@hahshfghj7457]

jetzt passiert es aber langsam gegen die muslime sogar auf der ganze welt deutschland wird seine vergangenheit vergessen und es wieder tun

[@Robertedwinhouse38]

Breaking: 8 republicans have committed suicide after reading that title.

[@saxyrep1]

Good one, that's how you make a joke about a serious subject. 👏😂

[@objectivemillennial2117]

lol 😂😂😂

[@fuckboi4852]

Good riddance

[@idontknowanymore8968]

ha! :-)

[@ohawwgeez3112]

😂 noice

[@lilibee3443]

It’s amazing what people can do together.

[@syedashfaq7245]

637AD from Romans 1187AD from crusaders 1939AD from Germans 2019 from Londoners Still saving them!!!

[@Randomite96]

My god... Your right. Yet in gaza they hurt our brothers

[@oblamovadvanced5956]

1453 from latins

[@shreyandattagupta4402]

Londoners?

[@dankistani9552]

@@shreyandattagupta4402 yeah a Jewish father and son was experiencing anti Jewish hate then a Muslim stood up against him

[@renjurichard]

Lol read Quran 9:29

[@jacksoquacko2669]

Republicans are already starting to dislike the video ahaha

[@tompor561]

Republicans love Israel though

[@stung39]

@@tompor561 they don't love israel they just support them because they both hate muslims

[@refikarekic9885]

@@stung39 True broo!

[@vant-v3o]

@@tompor561 nah they don’t

[@Matteo8136n]

Muslims are the most peaceful Ive ever met. I visited most of their countries they treated me as was one of them, especially in Palestine they hosted me in their homes the time when they were suffering and did not have enough food I will never forget my moments there till I die My heart is broken they facing genocide in front of the whole world! . I pray for their protection. I pray for their safety, I pray for their freedom. Ameen

[@sorayakalumata9731]

im indonesian living in the Netherlands , this story just touched my heart .

[@Jay-pc2ev]

I want to hug him.

[@theblackdeath4398]

This story is really sad and made me cry a bit... I just want to let all Jews know that even though we have our differences, and some of both of us persecute each other, we Muslims are with you. Makes me wonder what happened to the Jews that fled to the Mosques in France (since Hitler conquered France as well).

[@Swnsasy]

This is an amazing story.. Unfortunately it's happening again in America and this country is repeating with those south of the border..

Except it's keeping out ILLEGALS, nothing against any particular group...

[@hopefulcynic6556]

Respect for the true muslims of the world ❤❤❤ ...

[@renjurichard]

Watch acts17apologetics

[@vant-v3o]

I bow my head in front of them to show some respect

[@alfonso201]

Oh god what timeline I woke up in? Really cool respect

[@Ahmad-yw5hl]

My heart goes to you

[@NiaPgn]

SubhanAllah Im so glad he was reunited with his mother ❤️

[@brandallbranch3004]

Hate is so ugly. I will always choose love. Bless this woman for saving the little boy. I wonder what happened to the people who betrayed those precious little girls?

[@hishamahmed21]

That shows the real beauty of islam and Judaism ☪️✡️

[@coupdetat9654]

I'm indonesian muslim thank you for the sharing. Peace Iove and respect.

[@athageledex9620]

hai IAM from Indonesia, please help people in Palestine..!!

[@lotta7235]

And Trump is putting innocent children through such a trauma... 😩

[@2025devastated]

God bless the kind. 🙏💕

[@achajee9633]

What a wonderful person, to rescue a child and take such a risk. So sad that his sisters were betrayed.

[@jillhausman7779]

I have never been judged by a Muslim, yet I have judged a Muslim. As a Christian, even Jesus- Yahshua, says forgive and be forgiven, condemn and you will be condemned... It's not about religion- It's culture and beliefs of pride thinking you are right and everyone is wrong....

[@NiaPgn]

SubhanAllah why were they betrayed by their caretakers?! So heartbreaking!

[@vant-v3o]

We don’t betrayed you we just want peace thx 🙏 for saving us in ww2

[@jfournerat1274]

The caretakers were probably anti semtic themselves.

[@kennethpehle5797]

"Stand up to hate...get rid of hate"

[@seraj8020]

I feel sad for the innocent little sisters.. innocent soul.

[@salimm97]

Please tell this story to Netanyahu and Donald Trump

[@fadwaelfettahi4245]

Not just this story but also maaaaaaany others😑

[@mahsroonfosuy8049]

There are indeed many such stories. Unfortunately there are humans who are really selfish and only think about themselves and their kind to even have regards for what others have done good to them. Really sad and tragic.

[@tariqagefari6579]

muslims protects every one but non muslims never protect muslims,but it is ok our responsblty is to protect everry one.

Have you forgotten history? There's much time that Muslims never protected non-Mulsims.

[@HamzeOsman]

If she did a bad thing as a Muslim this comment section would have been filled with Islamophobia.

[@somethingcreativ235]

Artair can we not get technical? islamophobia is clearly a problem in the west

[@somethingcreativ235]

Artair phobia: extreme or irrational fear or dislike of a specified thing or group. there’s multiple meanings so yes islamophobia is the correct term

@@somethingcreativ235 Take the L you're only embarrassing yourself. Phobias are a relatively common type of anxiety disorder so *NO* this doesn't apply to Islam or any religious beliefs. Why is it when you're against Jews it's anti but yet Muslims who support child marriage and many other awful beliefes it's a Phobia? You lot just aren't that bright. There's a reason people with the likes of arachnophobia are willing to run, people don't with your "Islamaphobia" You really need to lay off the MSM. Fear of Islam believes is rational and isn't phobic as your lack of understanding shows, how ignorant are you?

[@SummeRain783]

Muslims are commanded in the Quran to protect and help the oppressed. It is our duty as Muslims to all of Adam ‘s (peace be upon him) children regardless of race, colour, gender, etc. May Allah help us learn the compassion of this Muslim woman and help the helpless. Don’t worry about the recognition from the media or anything. Do it for the sake of Allah. Ameen

[@artair70]

Seems like you all forgot that part.

[@Helmuesi911]

If you’re supposed to help the oppressed how about starting with helping your women

[@hammadhussain3082]

"And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend." - Koran (41:34)

[@sarahpatel307]

A Muslim saved this Jew from being attack than why does this Jew not protect at least one Palestinian Muslim from attack’s from his own people.

[@friendlyhackerz]

I am a Muslim and i cry everyday because we are being killed every day because we helped others.

[@seankim7055]

Im praying for you as a Christian. We should all respect our Muslim brothers and sisters.

[@Aljee7]

💔💔

[@BokhariTube]

She was a True Muslim following Islam....Helping the helpless

[@syedzameer8022]

Lesson of the story humans should live together like a family ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@aussienikki9838]

I am an atheist. I am also someone who believes in the goodness, greatness and love of the best of humanity.

[@muhammaddng8232]

Most Muslims will act the same way .. because their hearts are filled with the light of God

[@itaobyrneokeeffe7908]

It is lovely to see all the tings you received from this beautiful lady who hid you giving her love to you looking after you,and I am sure much much more.God bless her and her family.

[@lampuhijau9900]

Many indonesian that time in holand join fight with partisian, why ? Simple because, freedom is everyone right and is universe no matther what youi race,nation or religion.

[@ultimatebully2080]

hall of cost burger

[@keosan]

Thank you for this.

[@christiantownsend2264]

That's good that he was saved buy a Muslim. These people need to leave Jewish people alone because they haven't done anything to anybody.

[@alanbstard4]

yes they have

[@christiantownsend2264]

@@alanbstard4 I'm friends with Jewish people and they haven't done anything to me so what could they have possibly done to you

[@christiantownsend2264]

@@alanbstard4 you supposed to treat others the way you supposed to be treated. And if you don't want somebody to treat you wrong why would you treat other people wrong that makes no sense to me

[@alanbstard4]

@@christiantownsend2264 This is all nonsense. It's an industry and profiting from the dead

[@KrautKranky]

This is about humanity. Which will always transcend religion. Faith had nothing to do with this.

[@jurigcp2447]

Yeah.. True.. There so many people hate speech to Muslim. May Allah give them hidayah

[@shiffault]

What a beautiful but sad story. So happy that at least his mom made it alive ❤️❤️❤️

[@solomonwaldmarck9851]

From my experience, Indonesian muslim is much more tolerant than its middle eastern counterpart. So, stuff like this is not that surprising to me

[@gottempranks598]

No! Not the little girls! Haram, wallahi this is sad.

[@ultimatebully2080]

wahaluigi

[@avastacia]

I wonder what happened to the madna family?

[@dryanuhardispm4356]

They atill live in the Netherland

[@arshatali5259]

Many injustices happening to muslims around the world.🥺

[@gargarcomedy]

And Christians, Buddhists, atheists, smaller religions like the Yazidis. It's all mainly about money, power, greed. Innocent people of all faiths, colours suffer

[@raffialfarabyramadhan2570]

Proud! I am Indonesian!

[@FRISHR]

You won’t see this in Fox News

[@Dwayne707countryliving]

what a very beautiful story I wish I could meet this gentleman and talk with him

[@yeboyjayyjv9109]

This is how Abrahamic brothers should act.

[@Radjanamroed]

Indonesian weren't persecuted because indonesian president, Soekarno is actually close with the communist.

[@rebelronin3132]

Learn history again, my friend.

[@Flattithefish]

Does not make sense Hitler killed the Communist guys in Germany aswell

[@lucianedamestois]

Absolutely inspiring!

[@jasonscheepers444]

We all have suffering in common...and we all have the heart to love each other through it ❤

[@ellioshiem7892]

SUCH A LOVELY LOVELY MAN. SO SO SORRY FOR HIS LOSSES. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Gg-qx3vo]

Could it be that the Madna family had diplomatic immunity?

[@xelakram]

Lovely message!

[@silviricoaniricopramasandi1348]

From Indonesia here 🇮🇩

[@suzi9708]

2024: Those very holocaust survivors now perpetrating a holocaust in occupied Palestine. Simply horrific

[@KrautKranky]

Anyone hitting thumbs down needs to take a long, hard look at themselves. Who are you? What are you? Pathetic.

[@hahshfghj7457]

islam ist the best 🌻

[@meachbaltimore2958]

This is proof that regardless of the difference and religion the love between Christians Jews and Muslims was always there

[@Ahmed-fc9gm]

Israel should preach this

[@Aljee7]

No such thing as Israhell

[@laurawyeth1384]

Such a powerful message!

[@brksk4309]

We pity that moment and then forget. That is more painful not able to do more than that. Wish we took a fraction of the torture.

[@martymustafa9458]

This is so heartwarming. But, but, .... Sir, hope you could have just tried a little to make the illegal state of Israel listen to you...n maybe if they had even an iota of goodness in their heart..all that "evil in their corner of the world " would dissipate and maybe, just maybe, after talks n discussions the illegal state could somehow be corrected..into some sort of agreement..because WHAT THEY R PERPETUATING NOW on the people of Palestine is nothing short of the evil you yourself went through.

[@helius661]

You have to differentiate between Jewish and Zionist.

[@ultimatedefender6758]

@@helius661 No both are same and if u do it's anti Semitism

[@drpigglesnuudelworte5209]

@@ultimatedefender6758 most Jews i know are anti-Zionist

[@youforget1000thingsaday]

She even looks like a warrior in them photos. I wouldn't mess with her.

[@faliszt]

I'm not Indonesian but this made me cry ;-; Hello from Malaysia :D

[@FRISHR]

Top 10 anime maid heroes

[@jenezethgamertv2815]

Indonesians are not dark skinned they are brown skinned what the heck he does not able to identify that South East Asian and Black Africans are vary on skin color

[@mhmridul1960]

"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do."Al-Qur'an 4:135

[@pgcreator717]

Salam brother hope all is well

[@MsEviera]

Tole Madna is a Java Chatolic man. Mima Saina is a Java Moslem Woman. They both Indonesian were hidden baby Jewish.

[@4fanbtcbitcoin_ababie]

My Allah Bless and Protect all Humanity Peace inchallah ❤🌹❤

[@gustafdn]

Indonesian have 2 sides: Real life and online.

[@leigha8428]

Powerful.

[@sneedsfeed757]

Is this a Netflix movie 🤣🤣🤣

[@surijosuperbaby]

He should take a DNA test because his sisters might be alive.

[@sophiao5855]

I God's name the world will get rid of hate. Am happy for your union with your husband. That muslim woman who protected is very prophetic...Given the status quo regards to the struggle for freedom and what Israel is confronting. Well, enjoy your marriage, true love, truth and freedom. Am a staunch supporter of LGBTQ community. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Stand up to hate 🕊

[@r1tzy5551]

Now this is what people needs to do

[@r1tzy5551]

@FREEPALESTINERIGHTNOW. It’s haram to save others? That sounds evil of you ngl.

[@androidbey]

Make a movie

[@zayn1098]

Anti semitic has never involve Islam. Islam and Jews have lived together for centuries. Anti semitic started in Europe

[@pokerface7840]

And yet "Munzer" is an Arabic name. His family probably came from Spain (Sephardic) where Jews were protected by Muslims, yet again. And now look at how they reward Muslims and Arabs.

[@MJ-tx8jz]

💔😔❤

[@minarchowdhury7620]

READ ABOUT ISLAM WITH OPEN HEART , PERHAPS ONE DAY YOU WILL COME TO KNOW ISLAM IS ONLY SOLUTION FOR MANKIND.. PEACE :)

[@azukarzuchastux8066]

John 3:16 King James Version 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[@FarhiRosleysembunyi]

So tell us about Madna family, what happened to them now.