Studying Terrorism and the Strategic Use of Religion as a Recruitment Tool

The History & Politics Speaker Series continues with a presentation on one of the most pressing political issues of our day: the global reach of  terrorism and the use of religion in the recruitment of militants by terrorist organizations. 

On Wednesday, April 29, Dr. Nil Satana (Bilkent University, Turkey), will examine how and why terrorist groups transnationalize (expand and recruit beyond domestic borders). The event will begin at 7:00 pm and will take place in the Wick Center Social Room on Daemen's campus, located at 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY. 

Dr. Satana will be presenting her research from a joint project (co-authored with Dr. Joanna Birnier of the University at Maryland), funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) The presentation demonstrates the value of social science research in understanding and solving complex political problems. 

Dr. Santana's talk is connected to the subject of a Model U.N. simulation that will be held on April 15, 2015, as part of the Daemen College Academic Festival.  Directed by Dr. Aakriti Tandon, the Model U.N. event features more than forty students from PSC 121, International Relations and HST 106, Introduction to World History II, who will simulate a UN Security Council (UNSC) session and discuss approaches to counter terrorism and violent extremism. They will specifically focus on strategies to prevent recruitment of the youth and children into terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State, Boko Haram etc.

Members of the Daemen College Community and public are invited 

to attend both of these timely events. 

About the Speaker (April 29)

Dr. Nil S. Satana received her B.A. from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey, and has a M.A. & Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY). Her research interests include ethnic politics, democratization and civil-military relations, third party interventions in civil conflicts and religious/ethnic extremism and terrorism. Dr. Satana is a research associate at the START Center (the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism) at the University of Maryland and currently holds a grant funded by Department of Homeland Security for her project with Dr. Johanna Birnir (University of Maryland) titled “One God For All? Fundamentalism and Group Radicalization.” She has published several book chapters as well as journal articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the Comparative Political Studies, Terrorism and Political Violence, Armed Forces and Society and Turkish Studies. Dr. Satana is currently completing a manuscript on the normalization of civil-military relations in Turkey and its implications for other countries in the Middle East.

For questions regarding the Model U.N. Simulation at the 2015 Daemen College Academic Festival, or the Daemen College History & Politics Speaker series event on April 29th, please contact Dr. Tandon (atandon@daemen.edu). 

Catholic and Jewish Traditions in Poland. Posted by Caitlyn J. Ebert.


Religion played an integral part in keeping Polish culture alive, even while three different empires colonized the country during the period of partitions (1795-1918). During our stay in Poland, we have seen many sites connected to Catholicism and Judaism. Both of these religions have deep roots in Poland.  

While many European countries were expelling Jews in the medieval and early modern periods, Polish communities welcomed Jewish merchants.The link to Judaism was severely damaged by the Nazi occupation, beginning in 1939. Many of the synagogues throughout Poland were destroyed as the ghettos were established. While many of the sites related to Judaism reflect the horrors of the Nazi regime, the Old Synagogue in Krakow's Kazimierz district has been converted to a  museum that is dedicated to depicting Jewish life in Poland.


Old Synagogue in Kazimierz district of Krakow

This museum still has the storage place for the Torah intact (see photo below). This small closet-like area’s doors are kept open to indicate that the Torah is no longer housed in the synagogue. There are also several Torah covers like the lion cover (see below), which incorporated symbols of power and prominence to depict the importance of religion in the daily lives of the community.

                                                
                                                                                                                                          
Jewish cemeteries also show the important aspects of Jewish life. We were able to learn about the burial and grieving tradition in Judaism. For example, placing stones on the tops of tombstones symbolizes wishes and prayers the living have for the dead.

Many of the headstones in the Jewish cemeteries have images of animals or objects that were used to depict aspects of the deceased’s life. A menorah, or candelabrum, on the tombstone often indicates that the deceased is a woman.





Tombstone in Jewish cemetery in Przemysl

 
Animals like lions indicate that the deceased was a man and head of the household, therefore the most powerful/prominent person in his household.





Tombstone in Jewish cemetery in Warsaw

                                                      
The Catholic faith has played a crucial role in Polish history. Catholicism has helped preserve “Polishness” when there was no sovereign state, during wars, and during the period of Communism. Catholic symbols were built into the palaces and castles of Poland, such as the Wawel Castle (the home of medieval Polish kings in Krakow) and Wilanow Palace (the Baroque-style home of Polish kings in Warsaw).



  

Wawel Castle, Krakow

              

Wilanow Palace, Warsaw

           
Modern Poland is still closely tied to Catholicism. For example, there are many sites with relics and memorials to Pope John Paul II, whose canonization was announced in July while we were in Poland.



Exhibit dedicated to Pope John Paul II inside St. Florian's Church in Krakow

On Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, there is a marker (see below) at the location where John Paul II celebrated Mass during his first visit to Warsaw as Pope in June 1979.






And in Przemysl, a large memorial dedicated to the Polish Pope is located in the heart of the Old Town.



Caitlyn J. Ebert at the John Paul II memorial in Przemysl



Caitlyn J. Ebert

           

The Presentation of the History of World War II in Polish Museums. Posted by Kaleigh Ratliff.

During the few months leading up to my departure date for Poland, all I could think about was visiting museums in Warsaw and Krakow. As I continue to work towards a MA in Museum Studies, I am conscious about observing the content, message, and display techniques in museums that I visit.  I will discuss the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, and the exhibition "Krakow under Nazi Occupation: 1939-1945," which is located at the site of Oskar Schindler’s Factory.

 The Museum of the History of Polish Jews

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw is not completely open to the public, but we were able to tour some of the building and watch a video about the future exhibits. It is clear that careful thought and planning was put into the creation of the mission of the museum and the physical building.

The museum aims to tell the story of Jews in Poland by discussing their rich culture and contributions to Polish society. The architect of the building designed the main lobby to resemble the parting of the Red Sea.



Entrance to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews

The design of the main lobby made me feel trapped. Some of the other people on our tour suggested that it felt like a “wound in history” and a journey from darkness to light. I am impressed that the architect was able to make me think in such a critical way and make me feel connected to the story of the Jews in Poland simply with the shape of the lobby.

The architect set the tone and feeling of the museum by addressing the complex past of the Jews in Poland. The front entrance of the building faces the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes Memorial, which reminds us of the brutal experiences of Jews during the German occupation in World War II.



Looking out on the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes Memorial



In contrast, the back side of the building faces a large field which is open to the public for leisurely purposes.

 

Looking out on an open field

 

The building addresses darkness and death, while also remembering to reflect on light and life. I hope that I will be able to return to the museum when it is completed. It is important to discuss and learn about difficult topics in history, but it is also crucial to realize that history is made by people who had lives, families, and careers. This museum appears to tackle this balance well. 

 

The Warsaw Uprising Museum

The Warsaw Uprising Museum was my favorite museum. During my first few minutes in the museum I was bombarded with emotions and thoughts. The words “intense,” "overwhelming,” “moving,” and “real” came to mind as I took in the design and display of the content.

This museum does an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere of the Warsaw Uprising of August-October 1944. Dark and blunt colors were used to create intensity. Cobblestone, wooden, and uneven brick floors mimic the actual look of the streets at that time.



Inside the Warsaw Uprising Museum



There were smells that made me feel like a part of the history, and the use of noises -- such as planes, bombs, music, and voices -- brought the events back to life.



Model plane producing sound effects of dropping bombs

 

Because the museum discusses an extremely specific event, I was pleased to notice that all labels and exhibit text panels are similar. This creates a sense of continuity that gives the museum an impressive flow. Gruesome materials are hidden so that visitors have the opportunity to choose if they want to view them.

One section of the museum is made to resemble the sewers that the fighters stayed in during the Uprising. The floor is uneven, the sound of running water is present, and the tunnel is dark and damp.



Inside the sewers



   

View from the sewers of a plane overhead



This museum is respectful and effective in conveying the feelings and events of the Uprising. It is also very engaging; I left feeling overwhelmed, but I believe that the museum curators intend to make visitors feel that way. It is impressive to say the least!

Schindler’s Factory

Schindler’s Factory is extremely similar to the Warsaw Uprising Museum in terms of successfully portraying the look and feel of the time period.

 

Marker outside of Schindler's Factory

The museum focuses on the story of Oskar Schindler, a German who saved the lives of Jewish workers at his factory. The museum places this episode within the overall story of the German occupation in Krakow.

 

Nazi flags on exhibit inside the museum at Schindler's Factory

 The Nazi occupation of Krakow is introduced in innovative and effective ways.

 

Flooring at the museum at Schindler's Factory

Overall, this museum utilized noises, lighting, and reproductions of buildings, trains, and streets to bring alive the history of the German occupation of Krakow during World War II.



Posted by Kaleigh Ratliff

Daemen Students in Krakow



Daemen students (and friends) in front of the Adam Mickiewicz memorial in the Rynek Glowny.

Daemen students taking part in the Daemen College-Panstwowe Wyzsza Szkola Wschodnioeuropejska (PWSW) exchange program visited Krakow from 4-7 July. We were delighted to see Jordan Sieracki (third from left in the photo above), who is studying at the Jagiellonian University as a recipient of a Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarship from the Kosciuszko Foundation. Participants in the Daemen-PWSW summer program (to the right of Jordan as you view the photo) are Kaleigh Ratliff, Liz White, Tyler Vanice, Chelsea Sieczkarek, and Caitlyn Ebert.

While in Krakow, students toured the medieval center of the city. For centuries, Wawel Castle was the residence in the capital for rulers of Poland, and Wawel Cathedral contains the tombs of many famous Poles.

Wawel Castle and Cathedral

For example, the crypt below Wawel Cathedral holds the tomb of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, one of the Polish heroes of the American Revolution.

Kosciuszko's tomb in Wawel

Perhaps the most challenging part of any visit to Wawel Cathedral is the long climb up a narrow wooden stairway to the top of the Sigismund Tower.



Daemen students under the gigantic Sigismund Bell

Although the climb is tiring, the exhilarating panoramic view from the tower makes it all worthwhile.



View of Krakow from Sigismund Tower

On 5 July students visited several sites associated with Jewish history in Krakow, as well as museums dealing with the fate of Krakow during World War II. Lecturers provided historical context for each visit to various branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow.

We began our day on 5 July with a visit to the Old Synagogue in the Kazimierz district, which was the center of Jewish life in Krakow for centuries.



Old Synagogue in Kazimierz

From Kazimierz it is a short walk to the site of Oskar Schindler's factory. Here the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow opened a new museum in 2010 that integrates the story of Shindler's factory into the broader story of Krakow during World War II. Our lecture tour focused on the permanent exhibit dedicated to "Krakow Under Nazi Occupation, 1939-1945."


The Museum at Schindler's Factory


We concluded our day with lecture tours of two other branches of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow: Apteka pod Orlem (Eagle Pharmacy) and Pomorska 2 (Pomorska Street no. 2). Located within the walls of the ghetto constructed by the Germans, the Eagle Pharmacy was managed by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who is one of the Righteous among the Nations. Pankiewicz bribed German officials in order to keep his pharmacy open, thus providing medicines to Jews in the ghetto as well as a meeting place for them.


 

Inside the Eagle Pharmacy

2 Pomorska Street was the location of Gestapo headquarters in Krakow during World War II. The remaining prison cells provide the cornerstone for an exhibit on "People in Krakow in Times of Terror: 1939-1945-1956." As the title implies, this exhibit deals with the fate of Krakow during the periods of Nazi terror and Stalinist terror.

Graffiti on a prison cell at Gestapo headquarters in Krakow

On 6 July, students toured the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camps  in Oswiecim. Students will also visit the Majdanek concentration camp outside Lublin on 19 July. Future blog entries will discuss these sites in more detail.




This rail line ends inside the camp at Birkenau.