I recently saw a post on my front page about how muslims helped save jews in paris. So my question is how were different ethnicities/religions treated by Nazis (namely muslims) in both europe and africa? and why was there a distinction (considering they didn't fit the ideal aryan picture either)?
Hitler talked bad about the Arabs in Mein Kampf (they were considered to be one of the lowest races). But as Hitler turned his attention to the Jews he began to foster warmer relationships with Muslims and Arabs because of their shared hatred for Jews. He found an ally and collaborator in the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini. He was an enemy of the British and actively recruited Muslims and Arabs to the axis cause. He was even given honorary Aryan status (an empty gesture that meant very little). When the Germans conquered the Balkans they founded Muslims SS divisions (13th and 21st Waffen SS Mountain divisions) that were used in anti-partisan operations against Tito's partisans in Yugoslavia.
The only other racial minority were the Indian soldiers serving the British that were captured by the Germans. Many of these soldiers defected to a German unit called the " Indian Legion". They weren't a big unit but they did see some action when the allies invaded France.
Sources:
Mein Kampf
The Third Reich At War by: Richard Evans