PALESTINE CRISIS www.icnacsj.org Brief History Palestine is the Holy Land, significant in all three major religions – Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The people of Palestine, be they Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, lived in a peaceful and prospering society, engaging in trades such as fishing and farming, and contributing to a shared and rich culture. Palestine was ruled by the Ottoman Empire until it was captured by the British. In 1917, the British Government promised the land of Palestine to the Zionist Jews as a homeland for the Jewish people. Jews began to migrate to Palestine with the help of the Zionist movement at the start of the 19th century. After WWII, Jewish migration to Palestine especially intensified. The Ally Powers recognized and supported the new state of Israel on this colonized Palestinian land. This resulted in the Nakba, a catastrophe that ethnically cleansed over 800,000 Palestinians, including Muslims, Jews, and Christians, from their land through evacuation, displacement, and genocide. Since then, Global powers have legitimized the occupation of Palestine by the Israeli state. Israel has continued to confiscate more and more land from the indigenous Palestinian people, forcing them into smaller areas of land and controlling every aspect of Palestinian life to maintain control over the region through a cruel system of apartheid. Since October 7, 2023 Israel has implemented a campaign of indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians in Gaza that has resulted in the murder of more than 10,000 Palestinians (so far), the majority of whom are innocent civilian women and children. Israel has tightened its already existing siege on Gaza, blocking access to water, fuel, cellular service, electricity, and humanitarian aid. The attacks on Gaza have left over 1,000,000 people displaced, and destroyed hundreds of apartment buildings, schools, mosques, churches, and multiple hospitals. Israel’s war crimes include using illegal tactics such as white phosphorus and chemical weapons to maximize the damage and indiscriminately attack Gazans. Israel has also bombed neighboring countries, detained and killed Palestinians in the West Bank, and expanded into a ground invasion of Gaza. We are witnessing a genocide and humanitarian catastrophe unfold in real time. Talking Points 1 – Demand a Ceasefire: We are witnessing crimes against humanity with the current genocide of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. A path to peace in the region requires an immediate ceasefire that ensures that no more civilians will be harmed or killed. 2 – Equal Citizenship Rights: Currently, Palestinians holding residency in the Occupied Palestinian regions are not considered citizens of Palestine, until such a time as Palestine is declared an independent state. However, the occupying power of Israel also does not consider Palestinians to be citizens, leaving them without a passport or ID card that is recognized in much of the world. This is a violation of international law, and a glaringly obvious sign of an apartheid state. We must hold Israel accountable for the quality of life of the Palestinian people. 3 – Acknowledge the Right of Return: WhenPalestinian families were forcibly removed from the Currently, Israel operates a siege over Gaza, a portion of land bordering the Mediterranean Sea currently under Israeli occupation. Gaza is described as the largest open-air prison in the world. The West Bank is another region that is under Palestinian authority by legality but controlled heavily by the Israeli state. The over-militarized power has used undue force to intimidate and dehumanize Palestinian citizens, surveil and control movements, and even unlawfully arrest, detain, and kill them. Palestinians have struggled to break free of the apartheid state that has been implemented by the Israeli Government, as recognized by Amnesty International as well as renowned human rights organizations across the world. Israel’s abuse of human rights and consistent violation of international law are also well-documented and have been recognized by the United Nations. Still, the Israeli Government continues to abuse the indigenous Palestinian people and has rendered them stateless to prevent them from returning to their land. Palestinian people continue to resist, whether in Gaza and the West Bank or across the world where they exist as refugees and immigrants remembering their homeland from afar. Current Situation homes and land they had held for centuries, they were prevented from returning, and those same homes were illegally given to settler families from across the world. It’s time to allow Palestinian people back into their own homes and into their lands. The ability to return home is a basic human right for all and a principle of international law. 4 – End the Illegal Occupation: The only way to bring true peace to Palestine and the Palestinian people is to end the illegal occupation of Palestine. Action Items Engage with Representatives: Contact your members of Congress ASAP and urge them to support an immediate ceasefire and a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Participate in Peaceful Protests: Join or organize peaceful protests advocating for justice, equality, and an end to the occupation. Raise Awareness on Social Media: Utilize social media platforms to share information, stories, and resources that shed light on the Palestinian struggle. Amplify Palestinian voices to raise awareness. Support Humanitarian Organizations: Contribute to organizations working to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, providing direct aid to those affected by the conflict. Visit www.hhrd.org as one example. Educate Others: Foster understanding by educating friends, family, and colleagues about the historical context and current realities of the Palestinian situation.

Tens of thousands of people from everywhere along the east coast marched through the streets of DC demanding an immediate ceasefire of the killing of innocent Palestinians. They called on our government to recognize the ongoing injustices and to do what is in their power to stop these attacks on innocent lives. We will keep making dua for our brothers and sisters, we will keep speaking out against injustice until this humanitarian crisis is brought to an end. Muslim American Leadership including Oussama Abuirshaid Executive Director of AMP, Nihad Awad of CAIR, Oussama Jamal USCMO, sister Asmahan ( MAS), Naqeeb Ur Rehman ( MUNA) Dr. Mohsin Ansari President of ICNA along with other civil liberties activists from different faiths addressed the crowd.

CAIR is receiving communication from authorities that not enough of our community is speaking up for Palestine CAIR has put up an action alert item PLEASE sign it!It contains a pre-written message. Just enter your requested information, and hit send.This message will go directly to your state representatives! PLEASE share this far and wide … the more signatures, the better!There’s power in numbers!!!!! It takes less than 50 seconds – just a few clicks – please do this ASAP. https://action.cair.com/a/gazaunderattack

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), condemns in the strongest possible terms, the bombing of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, today, killing almost 500 patients, doctors, healthcare workers, and hundreds of displaced children and families seeking shelter there, with nowhere else to go. ICNA calls on President Biden to play his role in establishing immediate ceasefire and reconsider his unconditional support to a government which bombed and killed hundreds of innocent patients, doctors and civilians. This practice of bombing hospitals and sanctuaries is not only tragic, but also a clear violation of international law including the Geneva Conventions and other international humanitarian agreements. The secretary general of UNO, Mr. António Guterres, World Health Organization (WHO) and several humanitarian agencies immediately condemned the deadly Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital, which it said was “operational with patients, health- and caregivers, and internally displaced people sheltering there.” ICNA, along with a rising tide of international and humanitarian organizations, calls upon the U.S. and global community of nations to intervene immediately to stop the ongoing violence, indiscriminate killings of the Palestinian civilians in Gaza in an effort of ethnic cleansing.

#Respect The Quran Campaign ICNA strongly condemns the burning of The Quran in front of a Masjid in Sweden on The Day of Eid-ul Adha. All this is happening under the guise of “freedom of speech”. In January of this year also, a Danish-Swedish man burnt a Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm and that too was endorsed by the Swedish government. Such despicable act goes against the principles of respect, tolerance, and freedom of belief. Everyone should have the right to practice his or her religion peacefully. Such a vile act towards Islam’s most sacred text is deeply offensive and disrespectful to the beliefs and sentiments of over two billion Muslims worldwide. Insulting or demeaning other religions solely in the name of “free speech” is deeply hurtful, disrespectful, and can contribute to the discord in society. The west, time and again has proved that their support for freedom of speech is “selective”. Where on one hand they allow and support hateful acts like this one to happen while on the other hand they do not allow oppressed individuals and communities to raise their voice against the barbarism they face in countries like Palestine and Kashmir. While individuals may have the legal right to express their opinions, it is crucial to exercise that right responsibly and with sensitivity towards the beliefs and feelings of others and governments must not condone when it is more of a hate speech than free speech. If it was the other way around, there would have been a big hue and cry. But just for the records, it is prohibited in Islam to use verbal insults to deities of other faiths let alone to burn their sacred texts. If any true Muslim were to have done that, the Muslim world would outrightly condemn it. The timing of the burning of Islam’s holy book, during the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, is a further insult to the entire Muslim World. This happened on the Day when the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) of his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) is commemorated. ICNA hopes that we can learn from one another, rather than using this so-called “freedom of speech” as a justification for spreading hate, inciting violence, or perpetuating discrimination. While the door of repentance is always open, the aggressor should know that such an act, Allah Almighty says in 9:63: “Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will be in the Fire of Hell forever? That is the ultimate disgrace. JUMA KHUTBA TALKING POINTS بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Khutbah: Why 2 Billion Muslims respect The Quran By Sh. Abdur Rahman Khan -ICNA قَدْ جَاءَكُم بَصَائِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۚ وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ ‎﴿١٠٤﴾ Indeed, enlightenment have come to you from your Lord. So whoever chooses to see, it is for their own good. But whoever chooses to be blind, it is to their own loss. And I (Muhammad PBUH) am not a guard over you. (6:104) Why 2 billion Muslims respect The Quran This Quran is everything that a Muslim needs to know about: Allah Almighty, The Creator of all that exists His greatness, His Names and Attributes, His Oneness and Uniqueness. How to live our life in this world What awaits us in the Hereafter It also encompasses understanding its impact on The souls, spirit, and hearts, along with its virtues and the virtues of reciting, learning, teaching, studying, and contemplating it. What is The Quran The Quran is the word of Allah: its letters and meanings. It is a revelation that is not created, and it began with Allah and will return to Him. It is the greatest miracle, and it is an act of worship through its recitation. It starts with the opening chapter, Al-Fatihah, and ends with Surat An-Naas. Allah spoke the words, and Jibril heard it from Allah Almighty, and Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), heard it from Jibril. The Companions heard it from Muhammad (SAS). Allah Almighty says:  وَإِنَّهُ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ‎﴿١٩٢﴾‏ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ ‎﴿١٩٣﴾‏ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنذِرِينَ ‎﴿١٩٤﴾‏ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُّبِينٍ ‎﴿١٩٥﴾‏  “And indeed, the Qur’an is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds. The Trustworthy Spirit (Jibreel) has brought it down upon your heart, [O Muhammad] – That you may be of the warners – In a clear Arabic language.” (26:192-195) Greatest Source of Truth The greatest source of truth is The Quran- The Book of Allah SWT Because of this, everything we do with regards to this Book becomes a source of blessings: Its recitation Listening to it Understanding it Teaching it to others Calling towards it Defending it Al-Bukhari and others reported that Rasoolullah SAS said: خيرُكم من تعلَّمَ القرآنَ وعلَّمَهُ The best of you are those who learn the Quran in of themselves and they try to teach it to others (Al-Bukhari) Unfortunately, many people reject this Quran before even reading it as Allah SWT says: بَلْ كَذَّبُوا بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا بِعِلْمِهِ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِـــهــِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظَّالِمِينَ ‎﴿٣٩﴾‏ But no!  They deny without before comprehending it and even before it’s been fully made clear for them.  In the same way, those who came before them also denied (the truth of their revelations). Look at the end of those who wronged themselves. (10:39) What has Allah SWT spoken about His Book? Let us see what Allah SWT has spoken about His Kalaam Can there is another text in life that can combine of all of the traits of perfection # 1: It is Light The Quran is described as being Noor – light Allah said: قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ ‎﴿١٥﴾‏ There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book (the Qur’ān) (5:15) Light in what sense? in every sense of the word light with respect to your vision light with respect to your speech light with respect to what you hear light with respect to the decisions you make light in your life

What comes to mind when you hear or read the word “sacrifice”? What about “surrender”? Historically, the word sacrifice, from the Latin sacrificus, or “making sacred,” generally referred to an offering someone would give to a deity. In Islam, we believe the very practice itself goes back to the first human beings, as we have in the Qur’an the story of Adam’s two sons, one whose ritual sacrifice (qurbaana) was accepted and the other rejected (Qur’an 5:27). In recent times, the word “sacrifice” has taken on a more secular meaning in most places, such as the act of giving something up with the possibility of attaining something greater in value, or to avoid some type of loss. In a sense, the former meaning includes the latter, as a literal offering is an act of devotion in which something of value is given up for something greater in return (e.g., the pleasure of God, protection from harm, etc.). In Arabic, the word referenced is usually nahr (sacrifice), such as Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice), which refers to the day of Eid al-Adha on which the hajj pilgrims offer a sacrifice as one of many ritual steps for hajj. This sacrifice is to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was willing to sacrifice his own son at the command of Allah. The word nahr in the Qur’an is found in only one form in the entire Qur’an, and in the shortest surah, “so pray to your Lord and sacrifice” (Qur’an 108:2). It’s reasonable to opine about this ayah that the greatest physical act of worship, prayer, is pointedly paired with another of the greatest acts of worship, the sacrificial offering that takes place as the hajj concludes. This offering to Allah is the sacrifice of an animal (qurbani) or the financial contribution to that. A good portion of the meat is distributed to the poor. The pairing of acts together in the Qur’an is undoubtedly intentional, and a cause for reflection. Add to that, in our reflection upon verse 108:2, another verse, 22:37, in which we are told “Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it is your piety (taqwa) that reaches Him…” In chess, one of the most popular board games in the world, players oftentimes sacrifice their own pieces in order to gain an advantage or to win the match altogether. In fact, it is not uncommon to sacrifice one’s most valuable piece, the queen, in order to win the entire match. In an educational setting, students sacrifice their time – precious as it is – in order to learn, attain certain grades, or for other benefits. In a work setting people sacrifice their time and other potential opportunities in life, in order to advance a business service or product, a nonprofit cause, or a humanitarian campaign, because they see value in it worth pursuing. Likewise, in relationships, husbands and wives recognize that all healthy marriages come with sacrifice. People sacrifice in order to get married as well as to maintain a healthy marriage. Similarly, parents sacrifice a great deal of time, energy, money, and worldly goals in order to raise their children, because they see some benefit or value in it, such as a continuous charity (ṣadaqah jariyah) for every righteous child raised, or for love, or other similar benefits. Continue Reading…

My dear brother and Sister in Islam,  ‎السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ , I, on behalf of Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA, wish you a blessed, happy, and a joyful Eid. We are thankful to Allah SWT for providing us with an opportunity to offer our Salat and recitation of Quran once again in our masajid, standing shoulder to shoulder in congregation. We ask Allah SWT to accept all of our sacrifices, rituals, prayers, recitation of Quran, charity, and other good deeds. I will also take this opportunity to remind myself and everyone else about the plight and difficulties of our brothers and sisters around the world. This year was no different than previous years for our brothers and sisters in masjid Al-Aqsa. Once again, they were attacked while offering their prayer. Similarly, we continue to see the brutality, injustice, and discrimination against our brothers and sisters in India. Furthermore, our brothers and sisters that are working diligently for the cause of Islam and the Islamic Scholars throughout the world are facing all sorts of challenges and hardship. We pray to Allah SWT that He enables our efforts to have some positive impact in this regard and that He SWT relieves them of their pain and suffering during these difficult time. We as American Muslims should especially commit to making an effort to the best of our capacity so that can do our part in the face of all the aforementioned circumstances. We make Dua that the coming year will be a better year for us as a Muslim and as a human being. Once again, I want to remind you that the in-person ICNA convention is back on May 28th-30th this year in Baltimore. Many of you have already registered and we will see you there Insha Allahl. ‎السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ Dr. Mohsin Ansari PresidentIslamic Circle of North America – ICNAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN_1UQu5f8&feature=youtu.be