PALESTINE CRISIS
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.
ICNA – MAS Regional Conventions
All Praises are for Allah Lord of all that exists and peace and blessings of Allah be on His final Messenger and his household. You are invited to attend any of these amazing regional conventions happening in different cities. Join with your families and friends to enjoy the great environment, to learn more about our Deen, and to strengthen our communities even further. Bazaar | Lectures & Workshops by Renowned Speakers | Parallel Youth Conferences | Panel Discussions | Dawah Open Houses | Reverts Stories Sessions | MCNA Kids Camps | Health Fair | Matrimonial Services | Robotics | Quran Competition | Speech Competition | Career & Job Fair | Table Tennis Tournament | Badminton Tournament | Islamic Art Workshop & Exhibition | Ethnic Food Bazar
Tens of Thousands gathered in DC for Palestine
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.
Urge Your Members of Congress to Support the Ceasefire Now Resolution!
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
Israel attacks on a Christian Hospital Kills 500 Civilians
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.
Immediate Action items
ICNA calls upon American Muslims and those who are committed to justice around the world to stand up in solidarity for the rights of their Palestinian brothers and sisters. As of today, more than 2800 civilians including *more than 700 children* have been killed by their Israeli military through indiscriminate bombing. Today, while the western media and our politicians are promoting a one sided, biased perception, it is the duty of all Americans to educate ourselves with the reality of the situation. It is our duty to learn the 75-year-long history of the ongoing tyranny, barbarism and brutality towards the Palestinians in their homeland. 1) Write to your representatives and lawmakers to break the silence. Demand immediate ceasefire, halting the killings and massacre of the innocent civilians and children in Gaza. Demand accountability for those involved. https://palestine.salsalabs.org/gazaceasefire2/index.html 2) Hold the news agencies and media channels accountable, and write to them to put a stop to their biased and fabricated stories, such as the beheading of 40 babies by Palestinians. This information is used to gain international support for the genocide we are seeing in front of our very eyes. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/plainfield-township-stabbing-woman-child-will-county/ 3) Use your social media platforms to educate masses about the root cause of this violence. Spread the reality of the killing of more than 6000 innocent civilians, at least 1/3 of whom are children who have been killed by Israel’s indiscriminate bombing in the last 10 years. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/9/whats-the-israel-palestine-conflict-about-a-simple-guide 4) Spread the dehumanizing language that Zionists have been using against the Palestinians in order to further their agenda of genocide. Palestinians have been referred to as “animals” by Israeli authorities. 5) We urge all Muslims in the US to not be intimidated by the threats of Zionists. We should participate in all rallies which are being organized by Civil Liberty and Islamic organizations. https://ajpaction.org/pad2023/ 6) We ask all members of ICNA, its divisions, and youth circles to help in organizing events and rallies, combat misinformation, and stand up against the killing and mistreatment of civilians. 7) Lastly, we want to remind everyone that regardless of the situation, there is no real power and no real authority other than the Power and Authority of Allah ﷻ. In these times, as with all times, Muslims should turn to Allah ﷻ alone, beseeching Him for His Help, His Justice, and His power. May Allah ﷻ grant safety, security, and freedom to our brothers and sisters, and use us to benefit our Ummah.
ICNA condemns the killing of a six-year old Muslim boy in a hate crime
ICNA strongly condemns the killing of six-year old Wadea Al-Fayoume and the stabbing of his mother Hannan Shahin by their landlord, for no reason but pure hate, all because of their Palestinian background. For the past week or so we have found ourselves without words to see a genocide unfolding right before our eyes. What words can adequately express the pain and suffering to see a whole nation being forced into starvation and with constant bombing? And now right here at home in the USA, our Muslim community has become the target of hatred and violence…a little innocent child and his helpless mother! ICNA firmly states that this crime is not an isolated one. As the criminal carried out this heinous crime, he shouted “You Muslims must die!”? Often times crimes of such nature are fueled by some our own leaders and media outlets who use dehumanizing language such as calling Palestinians human animals; an ideology that has long been spread by haters of Islam and Muslims. We must unite to reform those in our society that allow hateful propaganda to inspire the murder of others as in this case an innocent child. We call on our lawmakers to stop spewing misleading information of what is going on in Gaza. We also call on them to condemn the hate that is spreading here in our country. We must ensure that the ideology of hate must fail to divide us. May this little innocent child leave this world in the most dignified way as a little Shaheed; a martyr. We pray to Allah SWT for the speedy recovery of sister Hannan Shahin and the strength for her to move on. May Allah SWT protect all!
ICNA Declares Friday, October 13, 2023, As a Day of Du’a.
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
Why Muslims Need to Talk About Hispanic Heritage Month
One of my earliest experiences at an Islamic conference was when I attended the ISNA Convention in Washington D.C. over two decades ago. It was the first time the Islamic Society of North America held its annual convention in D.C., after establishing it in Chicago for the previous 38 years. It was also its first large event after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The inaugural session of the 39th Annual Convention in 2002 opened with a solemn prayer for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The theme of the convention was “A Call for Peace and Justice,” and began with moving speeches from a multitude of Muslim leaders from around the country. Among the many leaders who made statements during the opening session was Imam Benjamin Pérez, whom I would later meet at a session by and about Latino Muslims. Prior to leaving my house for the conference, I grabbed a pin with a Puerto Rican flag and secured it on my hijab, above my heart. I had only been Muslim for three years, and I was living in Maryland at the time. I did not know many Latino Muslims personally, so I held the hope that if there were any present at the ISNA convention, they would notice my pin and approach me. As I zigzagged through the crowd of Muslims, hoping to spot another Puerto Rican or Latin American, I was utterly disappointed. In the sea of familiar-looking faces, there was not one that shared my background. But just when I started to lose hope, a friend pointed out a session on the convention’s printed program. There was a panel discussion about Islam among Latino Americans whose speakers included Muslims with Spanish names. When I checked the session’s time, I realized that it had already started, so I took note of the hall number and sprinted there. When I made it to the conference room completely out of breath, it was packed. There were only a few seats left, so I made my way to an empty chair and sat down to listen, in awe of the mostly Latino Muslim panel. It was the first time I heard Muslim leaders who shared some of my cultural background. The panelists included Mexican American Imam Benjamin Pérez (may Allah have mercy on him), a Dominican brother named Isa Contreras, and others. They spoke about the growing number of Latin Americans embracing Islam, their own experiences embracing Islam in their respective communities, and the work that still needed to be done to bridge the gap between Muslims and our Spanish-speaking neighbors. After their presentations there was a question-and-answer session, so I eagerly stood up, approached the available microphone, told them my story, and asked how I could get in touch with other Latino Muslims. I think I was still catching my breath when I suggested I get the contact information of the Latin American Muslims on the panel so I could stay in touch with them. Finding others like me was important, because even though Muslims all constitute one brotherhood and sisterhood, human beings tend to seek out people of similar backgrounds and experiences. Through this meeting, I was introduced to the Latino American Dawah Organization (LADO) led by Mexican American Juan Galvan, whose online presence on Yahoo! Groups allowed me to connect with Latino Muslims from around the country. In the following years, I would develop relationships, join dawah efforts, and volunteer at different organizations to translate material into Spanish. Eventually, when I married another Hispanic convert, together we founded an organization called Hablamos Islam(We Speak Islam) with the purpose of creating educational resources about Islam in the Spanish language, with Latino families in mind. Eventually, it also evolved into creating programming and literature for children. Dawah organizations often forget to factor the youth into their outreach efforts, but when Latino families are entering the faith in rising numbers, it is only natural that they need educational tools for their children. I learned this firsthand. During this whole process, I had children of my own, and now my eldest is in his late teens. Although Latino Muslims were becoming increasingly visible– seeking higher Islamic education and forming their own organizations and programs – there were (and still are) areas of outreach that are lacking. Fast-forward over twenty years later to 2023. Allah has a way of bringing things full circle. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of helping to organize and participate in the Spanish sessions at the ICNA-MAS Convention 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. I was not a newcomer, having been involved in the planning of Spanish language, convert, and sisters’ programs since 2010. Yet after over a decade of involvement in the weekend-long, eman-boosting conference, I noticed something different in the audience. This time as I sat on a panel with two other Latino speakers, I saw something incredible. Two young couples walked into the hall, and I recognized the wives – both were South Asian and daughters of two sisters I knew personally but I had not seen since the Covid lockdowns began in early 2020. I would have wondered why they were walking into a Spanish-only session had it not been for the gentlemen beside them. The girls had gotten married recently and both their husbands were Latinos. The two young men had converted to Islam, one Mexican and the other Guatemalan. The theme of this past year’s convention was “Preserving Faith, Building the Future,” and I was speaking about the importance of educating our families about Hispanic Heritage. And there in front of me was an example of what a future looks like where Latino Muslims and those of all different backgrounds come together to not only coexist but accept one another as equals. Twenty years after that panel of Latino Muslim speakers called for the Muslim ummah to recognize and reach out to Latinos, we have a thriving community of intercultural couples, generations upon generations of Latin American Muslims, Latino organizations,
