As we mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, we are reminded of the darkest chapter in human history—the systematic, industrial-scale genocide that claimed the lives of over six million Jews, along with countless others deemed “unworthy” by the Nazi regime. Auschwitz stands as a harrowing symbol of the depths to which humanity can descend when conscience, morality, and compassion are obliterated.

The Holocaust was not the result of a single moment of madness but the culmination of years of dehumanization, propaganda, and the dismantling of moral values. In less than a decade, a nation once renowned for its cultural and intellectual achievements succumbed to an ideology of hate. This moral erosion did not occur in isolation; it was engineered through relentless propaganda that desensitized ordinary people to the suffering of their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. It is only in such an environment, where conscience is systematically silenced, that genocide on such a scale becomes conceivable.

Today, as the years roll on, the task of keeping this memory alive becomes increasingly urgent. The survivors of Auschwitz, those who bore witness to humanity’s capacity for evil, will soon no longer be with us. Their absence could leave a void that extremists are all too eager to exploit, spreading falsehoods and revisionist narratives that seek to whitewash history. This is fertile ground for the politics of hate to take root once more, drawing us down the same path that led to the horrors of Nazi Germany.

Let us be unequivocal: there can be no nostalgia for those days. Acknowledging this does not preclude us from addressing legitimate concerns such as border security, illegal immigration, or the preservation of cultural heritage. However, we must remain vigilant that these issues are not co-opted as a springboard for hatred, discrimination, or the erosion of human rights. Safeguarding a nation’s integrity must never come at the expense of its soul.

The lessons of Auschwitz are as relevant today as they were eight decades ago. History teaches us that the seeds of atrocity are often sown in the soil of indifference, fear, and intolerance. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that these seeds do not take root. Education, remembrance, and vigilance are our most powerful tools in preventing history from repeating itself.

As we honor the memory of the millions who perished, let us commit to building a world where such horrors are unthinkable. This is not just about the past; it is about our present and our future. It is about protecting our families, neighbors, and friends from the forces of hatred and division. And it is about ensuring that, even as time distances us from the events of Auschwitz, we never forget the stark reminder it offers of what can happen when humanity loses its way.