We call upon Khateebs, community Leaders and Politicians in the US to educate the community and all Americans about the dire humanitarian situation in Palestine and to pray for their safety, freedom, and well-being of all those including innocent civilians, women and children. Here are some facts and the talking points to be discussed: 1. Netanyahu’s far-right government intensified Israel’s violent repression upon Palestinians since taking power earlier this year. Defense Minister of Israel called Palestinian as “animals”, denying them any food, electricity and water • Before the latest surge in violence, Israeli soldiers had already killed more than 250 Palestinians, including at least 47 children, in the occupied West Bank only in 2023, more than any year since the Second Intifada, or uprising, against Israel’s occupation in the early 2000s. • Extremist Israeli settlers had also ramped up their attacks on Palestinians to push them off their land earlier this year. In August 2023, the UN warned of a dramatic increase in settler violence, with nearly 600 attacks recorded in the first six months of JUST THIS year, averaging 99 incidents each month. • Israeli extremists have also increased their provocations in and around the Noble Sanctuary Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, which they wish to destroy. 2. Gaza has been under brutal Israeli military occupation for more than 50 years. • Under international law, Gaza remains under Israeli military occupation, despite Israel’s withdrawal of settlers and soldiers from the interior of Gaza in 2005, it continues to control virtually all entry and exit, as well as Gaza’s airspace and coastline. 3. Israel has imposed a ruthless, illegal siege and naval blockade on Gaza for more than 15 years. The former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, said, “People in Gaza are living under constant attacks and pressure in an open-air prison,”. • More than 2.3 million Palestinians are in Gaza, trapped under Israel’s draconian siege and naval blockade, unable to travel to get medical treatment, go to school, or visit family and friends, deprived of basic needs and supplies. Gaza’s economy has been devastated by the siege and blockade, and by repeated Israeli military assaults that have destroyed much of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. The siege and blockade have been repeatedly condemned by the UN and human rights organizations as a form of collective punishment and illegal. 4. Most Palestinians in Gaza are refugees, expelled from what became southern Israel in 1948. • Two-thirds of Palestinians in Gaza are refugees who were expelled from their homes during Israel’s establishment in 1948, denied their internationally recognized legal right to return simply because they aren’t Jewish. 5. The source of the problem is Israel’s brutal military occupation and apartheid system that was established in 1948. • In the words of Amnesty International: “Israel has established and maintained an institutionalized regime of oppression and domination of the Palestinian population for the benefit of Jewish Israelis – a system of apartheid – wherever it has exercised control over Palestinians’ lives since 1948.” The only way to end the violence is to end Israel’s occupation and apartheid system. • Israel ‘can no longer control its own fate’ after stunning Palestinian attack Veteran Israeli analyst Meron Rapoport told MEE that the Israeli military and intelligence is at a new low, and it may prove terminal for Netanyahu and his settler government. • Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, said on Saturday that the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against the “Israeli crimes and violations in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Palestinian Territories”. 6. American Muslims urge all Muslim countries and their leadership, particularly those who are eager to build their relationships with the Zionist regime, to reconsider their plans and not compromise on the just cause of the oppressed Palestinians. 7- We call upon the people of conscience to recognize the hypocritical stances of many nations when it comes to the human rights violations against the Palestinian people, and to condemn these senseless attacks. 8- Express support and the need for an immediate ceasefire. Demand the United States to reassert its leadership role as a negotiator in pursuit of a lasting peace. This entails addressing the root causes of violence, terminating Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, and ending the Israeli government’s apartheid policies. Finally – we ask Allah SWT for His help, guidance and support. May He free the oppressed people around the world, including people of Palestine, and prevent the oppression of the oppressors. Ameen.  Events to Remember: American Muslims for Palestine and AJP Action are holding an advocacy day on Capitol Hill. It will take place in Washington DC on October 23rd and 24th to lobby congressional representatives in holding Israel accountable for its crimes, to recognize it as an occupying apartheid state, and to advocate for Palestinians. Please fill out and share widely in your networks it’s important that our elected representatives’ offices get flooded by their constituents’ messages – takes 30 secs and simple https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faction.cair.com%2Fa%2Fgazaunderattack&data=05%7C01%7C%7C36882fe76db545d90c9708dbcae736a9%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638326866633394624%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vRfR3Kb6FSMWx5dIvEyV9fUIDRhhpmtKrlzVvkJsiSw%3D&reserved=0 AMP will also be holding a Day of Action and rally on Saturday, October 14th, at 1 p.m. in front of the White House. For updated information, please visit the AMP website or follow their social media pages. As much as it is necessary to raise our voices, it is also necessary to donate. Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) www.hhrd.org is collecting money to donate food and supplies to the Palestinian people. This is a time of dire need for our brothers and sisters, who are not able to access even basic necessities for survival and are under blockade by their occupiers. Donate to our campaigns through HHRD here

ICNA CSJDate published: Sat, 23 September 23 In early September, a top French court upheld a ban that prohibits girls in school to wear abayas. The French court found that wearing the abaya is a religious affirmation and that the ban is in line with French law that prohibits, “the wearing by pupils of signs or clothing ostensibly expressing religious affiliation, either in and of themselves, or because of the pupil’s behavior.” The government has stated that the nationwide ban of abayas, is an update to a 2004 ban on hijabs, Jewish skullcaps, or other religious paraphernalia. Earlier this year, we published an article about French secularism and the weaponization of it against minorities. Action Droits des Musulmans, an advocacy group for Muslims, filed the emergency petition that led to the court upholding the ban. They said in a statement that it was “deeply concerned about the consequences this decision could have on young girls, who risk being discriminated against on a daily basis because of their ethnic and religious appearance.” Many are questioning the government’s intentions behind continuously banning and regulating women’s clothing. Again, Muslim women are expected to regulate themselves if they want to receive education. During the beginning of the school year, girls were sent home if they showed up not only in an abaya, but if they wore a matching pant-shirt set, if they wore skirts, or if they wore anything that was seemingly loose-fitting. One girl was sent home for wearing a kimono-style cardigan (picture below). Other girls are sent home for wearing dresses, or loose shirts and pants. The ban is not just a ban on women’s religious clothing, but it is a ban on something more sinister – the existence of Muslim women in public spaces in France. When girls are banned from going to school unless they regulate their clothing, the right to education is infringed upon. Young Muslim girls are policed, regulated. This sort of environment makes it hard for these girls to pursue education, unless they give up aspects of their religious identity and self expression. C’est vrai que ce n’est pas un kimono. C’est un abaya. — Caroline Jaeger (@gloupsback) September 5, 2023 Female students in France will no longer be allowed to wear the loose-fitting abaya dress favoured by some Muslim women 👇 The move comes almost 20 years after France banned headscarves from state schools. Read more: https://t.co/svRSk56Sux pic.twitter.com/NJYfih07wb — Sky News (@SkyNews) September 4, 2023 These bans are rooted in a history of French racism and Islamophobia. France’s history with colonialism can be understood as one of the primary reasons behind its racism and institutionalized discrimination against minority groups. French colonialism was brutal. Even now, in the era of “post-colonialism,” France’s former colonies are still paying France a reparation tax – a tax for the inconvenience colonial independence caused to France. French president Macron refuses to ask for forgiveness for the crimes of the colonization of Algeria, despite Algeria’s request to do so. The teacher/principal waiting to inspect Muslim girls clothing is, in fact, wearing a long sleeve ankle length dress herself. Tell me again how this is about secularism, France? https://t.co/VSgfNq8VzP — Hannah ☪️- HLK851 on Spoutible (@HLK851) September 6, 2023 The birth of the idea of Western civilization is a precursor, or perhaps even a framework, to how race is understood today. French colonial and imperial propaganda has depicted the SWANA region, South Asia, East Asia, and Africa as lands of “backwardness, lawlessness, and barbarism tamed by French rule.” Vinecia Perkins in an article on the constitutional stratification of French ethnic minorities says that French culture sees itself as superior to all non-European cultures. The notion and rhetoric of “otherness” and pseudo-scientific racism has persisted amongst French treatment of its minorities from the expulsion of Jewish people from France to French participation in the Transatlantic slave trade. An influx of North African immigrants materialized “banlieues” (slums), plagued with rampant crime, poverty, and unemployment. More than 4.4 million people of Arab or African heritage live in banlieues where they and Jews face extreme discrimination. From the beginning, Muslims and those of African and Arab heritage have been placed on the fringes of French society by the government and natives.” Because of these aspects of institutionalized discrimination, French Muslims experience high levels of unemployment. There are studies that show that when a Muslim is considered a practicing Muslim in public, they are less likely to be called back for jobs than a secular-appearing Muslim. The European Network Against Racism published in a report about Muslim women who wear hijab, “When they get an interview and choose to present themselves with their headscarf, they take the risk of being refused for the position. Usually the headscarf monopolises the interview, employers only focus on the religious symbol and not on thecandidate’s skills. In France, as many employers think that neutrality applies to private companies, they do not hesitate to openly express the specific motive of the refusal and thus exposed themselves to condemnation in court.” France’s Islamophobia is further tied into political figures. President Macron has consistently called for targeting “radical” Islam, and pushing for a “French” version of Islam. Marine Le Penn, a far-right politician, is known for her extreme Islamophobic statements. She was a contender for the French presidency, showing that these ideas are integral to mainstream French society. Political rhetoric has created an environment where Islamophobic sentiments are on the rise, and individualized attacks occur. In 2020, Islamophobic attacks in France increased by 53%. Attacks on mosques increased by 35%. The institutionalized Islamophobia in France has created a normalization of hatred against Muslims. This not only demonizes Muslims, but increases violence against them. When faith is intertwined with French colorblind racism, the systems of oppression continue on and on, cycling for years. To address the problem, France must first acknowledge their deep institutionalized issues. https://youtu.be/WNzAaOaBtmk?si=mb4sUzlVRJA8QJOm

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raaji’oon. The Muslim Ummah has lost a great legend. It is with profound sadness that ICNA announces the passing of Allama Delawar Hossain Sayedee while in prison. He was the Naaib Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He was an internationally acclaimed exegete (Mufassir) of the Qur’an and former Member of Parliament. This great leader was unjustly imprisoned for well over a decade and was never given a chance of a fair trial. According to reports, even his family was not allowed to meet him after his recent illness and heart attack. The death of Allama Sayedee is a great loss to this Ummah and particularly to the people and the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh. It is very difficult to describe in words the level of impact that Allama Sayedee had in the lives of people, worldwide. His passion, his dedication, his charisma, his eloquence and yet so simple and humble, were beyond captivating. He had a dynamic personality with a resoundingly impactful legacy – a truly unique icon whose contributions will benefit generations to come Insha Allah! May Allah have mercy on him and enter him into the highest levels of Paradise. Allama Delawar Sayedee has joined those great souls that have returned to Allah SWT after sacrificing all they have in this world, for Allah SWT’s sake. May Allah accept him as a martyr and fulfill his dream to become a Shaheed. By the Will of Allah their sacrifices will not be forgotten and the quest for justice and Deen continues. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raaji’oon!Image Courtesy: The Muslim NewsImage Courtesy: Siliconeer.com

Significance Of Ashura – 10th Of Muharram By Sh. Abdool Rahman Khan بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Ashura 2023, 1445 We begin reflection of Ashura by the Words of Allah SWT 4Indeed, Pharaoh transgressed in the land and divided its people into groups. He persecuted a group among them by slaughtering their sons and keeping their females alive. Surely, he was one of those who spread corruption (on earth) [28:4]   Muharram is from the sacred months and comes at the beginning of the FOUR of them. Al Hassan Al Basree (May Allah have mercy on him) said: Allah Almighty opened the year with a sacred month, that is Muharram and concluded the year with a sacred month that is Dhul Hijjah. It is the only month that is known as “The Month of Allah” as in the Hadith where Rasoolullah SAS calls it : شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA), Rasoolullah SAS said: أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ مسلم The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night. Muslim Al-Qurtubi said: Fasting in Muharram is the best fasting, because it is the beginning of the year and it opens with fasting, which is the best of deeds. Ashura Ashura The 10th of Ashuraa is one of such virtuous days of Fasting A day when Allah SWT grants victory to o Prophet Musa (AS) and the Believers o While defeat was granted to falsehood – to Pharaoh and his people. This victory is still a matter of consideration for us. o We are still in a world of Pharaohs fighting Believers o So, we sure can learn from the struggle that Prophet Musa (AS) had with the ruthless Pharaoh. Thus, it is highly recommended for us to fast on this day out of gratitude to Allah A lesson how Allah SWT causes His righteous servants to inherit the earth. As Allah Almighty said: Quran وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ Allāh has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them authority on the earth just as He granted it to those before them An Nur (24:55) The martyrdom of the beloved grandson of Rasoolullah SAS We also recall another incident in the history of Islam which also took place on the 10th of Muharram and that is the martyrdom of Hussain (RA) the beloved grandson of Rasoolullah SAS. Hopefully next year we will discuss this in details by the grace of Allah SWT and this too is a struggle between the faith and sincerity of Hussain (RA) and insincerity and ruthlessness of those clamoring for power. The Messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain . Allah loves whoever loves Hussain. Hussain is a generation among the generations.” (Tirmidhi) The Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) – Click here to Read By Syed Abul Aala Maududi History of Prophet Musa (AS) Musa AS was a descendant from the lineage of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), and from the lineage of Prophet Yaqub (AS) Over time, the people forgot the message of Islam o Eventually they were overtaken by Pharoah – one of the mightiest rulers in history o Egypt was the rich superpower of the world at that time. However, he was also considered to be the most ruthless and oppressive leader in history and in addition he had power, authority and wealth. No wonder why his story is depicted in so many verses in The Quran as a warning to today’s Pharaoh. And a hope for Believers. Power and wealth made him exceedingly arrogant, and he went so far as to proclaim himself to be the lord of creation. Allah SWT says: Then he gathered his people and cried aloud, (23) Saying: “I am your lord, most high” (79:23-4) Pharaoh, together with his ministers, Qarun and Haman, ruled the land with an iron rule. Pharaoh heard that a leader will arise from Bani Israel As time went by, Pharaoh was informed of the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) which Bani Israel would often talk about that there would be a leader from Bani Israel who would again lead them to a position of strength. Pharaoh was greatly disturbed by these predictions, and as a precaution, ordered that all the pregnant women of Bani Israel be strictly monitored. No woman delivered a baby boy without the Pharaoh’s army knowing about it, and thus these newborns were immediately killed in cold-blooded, systematic infanticide. o Just imagine the horror! The murder of innocent babies! In the Quran Allah SWT says: 4Indeed, Pharaoh transgressed in the land and divided its people into groups. He persecuted a group among them by slaughtering their sons and keeping their females alive. Surely, he was one of those who spread corruption (on earth) [28:4] So, Pharaoh began this merciless killing of the young male babies o How often we see this repeated throughout generations by tyrants and even till this day and age of a so-called civilized world of human rights. Another evil of Pharaoh was to divide Bani Israel and enslaving them. Today the Muslim Ummah has also become victim of this plot. Ibaadallah! We are one Ummah, but unfortunately, we succumb to the same tactics what Pharaoh did to Bani Israel. Alternate killings of the boys So, Musa (AS) was born the year when the male infants were to be killed while his brother Harun was spared as Pharaoh was advised to alternate the years of killing to male born. According to all the decree of the land, Musa AS should have been killed. However, Musa’s (AS) life demonstrates o the power of the Qadr of Allah above all human planning no matter how powerful their plots are When the mother of Musa was pregnant for him, she went completely unnoticed. But