Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
As we mark Juneteenth, June 19th, as a federal holiday in the United States, it is important for us as Muslims to pause, reflect, and act. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the
last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. It is a day rooted in the painful history of slavery, yet one that affirms the resilience, dignity, and contributions of African
Americans in the ongoing struggle for justice and liberation.
As Muslims, we are called by our faith to stand firmly for justice, even if it be against ourselves or those close to us (Qur’an 4:135). Commemorating Juneteenth is not simply an act of
historical remembrance, it is an active commitment to recognizing and supporting the continued fight for Black liberation in America and beyond.
This day reminds us not only of what has passed but of the continuing struggles many communities still face today.
Let us commemorate this day through:
● Learning: Study and teach the history of Juneteenth, slavery, and systemic racism. Assign this as a topic in your weekly Neighbor Nets (Halaqahs/Usras).
● Volunteering: Support your local Inner City Empowerment Center. Dedicate time this weekend to service.
● Honoring: Recognize the legacy of African American Muslims and their foundational role in American Islam and justice movements.
● Observing: Reflect on Juneteenth through prayer, family discussion, community events, and educational forums.
● Connecting: Draw parallels between the African American struggle and global justice movements, including the plight of Palestinians and other oppressed peoples.
Indeed, Juneteenth is not complete without acknowledging and committing to the liberation of all oppressed peoples. The legacies of slavery, colonialism, and occupation are not confined by
national borders nor consigned to the past; they persist today through systems like the prison-industrial complex, where mass incarceration and forced labor disproportionately impact Black communities. Whether in the American South or the occupied Gaza and West Bank, we see parallel patterns of dispossession, systemic violence, and resistance.
One of the painful intersections is the controversial practice of U.S. law enforcement receiving training from Israeli military forces. Indeed, these exchanges risk normalizing aggressive tactics used in occupation contexts and will contribute to increased militarization and police brutality within marginalized communities in the United States, especially Black and Brown neighborhoods.
In this light, Juneteenth is not just a historical milestone, it is a call to action. A reminder that while slavery may have been formally abolished, the fight against racism, state violence, and systemic oppression continues. As Muslims, we must be allies in that fight. As Muslims, we are called to act, not merely in word, but through meaningful commitment and service to justice.
Let us honor Juneteenth by committing ourselves to building a society, and a world, rooted in justice, equity, and compassion. Let us stand with the oppressed, support the marginalized, and lift the legacy of those who struggled before us.
May Allah (SWT) guide us in this pursuit and accept our efforts.
Sincerely,
Salman Y. M.
Secretary General
Islamic Circle of North America
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