+- Forums (https://bb.islamsms.com)
+-- Forum: ENGLISH (https://bb.islamsms.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Current Affairs (https://bb.islamsms.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17)
+--- Thread: Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza (/showthread.php?tid=6311)
Pages:
1
2
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - SisterJennifer - 01-22-2008
It's not really so much 'Islamic' news as it is humanitarian news. You dont have to be muslim to care about human suffering and to try and do something about it, at least to speak up about it. Its really a tragedy for us to be silent:
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/21/08) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of conscience to urge their elected officials to immediately intervene to put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The crisis was triggered by an Israeli-imposed blockade Sunday evening, which forced the closure of the only electric plant that serves Gaza City's 400,000 residents and one third of the Gaza Strip's 1.5 millions residents. The blockade prevents the entry of fuel that is essential to the operation of the plant.
Gaza Dark Amid Israeli Blockade
Gaza is already suffering from economic hardship, which according to the World Bank, is primarily a result of being cut off from the rest of the world by Israel. Without power, hospitals, water facilities and other crucial lifelines may completely shut off and homes may be left without heat, plunging Gaza into disarray.
On Monday, the U.N. said it would suspend food distribution to 860,000 Palestinians unless Israel eased the blockade imposed on Friday in response to rocket fire from Gaza. The World Food Program, which distributes food to another 270,000 Gaza residents warned that it too would have to suspend operations by Thursday due to lack of fuel.
A European Union (EU) official termed Israel’s blockade “collective punishment,” a practice banned by international law. "I have made clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. (Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed.”)
U.N. Agency Says May Have to Halt Gaza Food Handout
In a statement CAIR said:
“Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of economic support each year, we have the right and the responsibility to demand that Israel abide by American and universal human rights standards and end its practice of collective punishment against the Palestinian populations. Such practice amounts to war crimes.
“Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the sentiment worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of the Palestinian people.
"The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may threaten the security of the United States.”
According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2007, "Israel [retains] effective day-to-day control over most key aspects of life in Gaza, including ingress and egress and thus the economy."
Seventy-nine percent of Gaza households live under the poverty line, 40 percent suffer from unemployment and almost half the population in the Gaza Strip is made up of children.
CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
<b>IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:</b>
1. CONTACT your elected officials (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S. Senators) and ask them to call for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza, and a full restoration of the essential services. Call, fax, and email.
Click here to find your representative
Talking points:
*As your constituent, I urge you to call for an immediate end to the illegal Israeli blockade in Gaza.
* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment is always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a just resolution of any conflict.
* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those funds not be used to increase human suffering.
* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of human rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of Israel’s blockade.
* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of the Palestinian people.
* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may threaten the security of the United States.
<b></b>
2. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
by forwarding this alert to at least five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the same.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - Muslimah - 01-23-2008
Bismillah
as salam alykom Jennifer
Well let us face it, we are silent, no power supply there and a friend sent me a text message day before asking me to pass it and make dua because a large number of patients' lives are at risk. But Muslims are so busy with the African Football Cup.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - SisterJennifer - 01-23-2008
And the hospital is giving away bed sheets to bury the dead because there are no shrouds.
Please, all of us reading here, let us do something if not by action then at least by mouth, we will all be asked about it.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - Muslimah - 01-23-2008
Bismillah
Jennifer, do you have any suggestions, if you do, pls share with us because I feel sooo tired that my mind is actually on hold. I feel there is much going on that I dont see even how to go with it.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - Muslimah - 01-24-2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) Jan. 23, 2008 - MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), will hold a Press Conference on Friday, January 25, 2008, at 10:00 AM, in the West Room of the National Press Club, 529 14th St. N.W., Washington DC.
MAS Freedom, in response to the continued human rights atrocities in Gaza, will announce its campaign to 'End the Embargo in Gaza'. The campaign will commence with a Rally in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. at 4:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2008.
"The embargo is a gross human rights violation, forcing collective punishment on the entire population, in clear violation of international law - an act that has been condemned worldwide, and yet our government remains silent.
"We cannot remain silent! We call upon all Americans of good will and conscience to join us in calling for a cease fire on both sides and an end to the Gaza embargo," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Speaking at Friday's Press Conference will be MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray; Brian Becker, ANSWER Coalition; MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights Director, Ibrahim Abdil-Mu'id Ramey; Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Esq., Partnership for Civil Justice; Reverend Graylan S. Hagler, Senior Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church, Washington, D.C.; Art Laffin, Organizer, Catholic Worker Community, Washington, D.C. (longtime organizer for nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation); and Jacob Pace, Assistant Director, Interfaith Peacebuilders, Washington, D.C. (a former resident of Gaza).
WHO: MAS Freedom - 'End the Embargo in Gaza' Campaign
WHAT: Press Conference
WHEN:Friday, January 25, 2008 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: National Press Club (West Room), 529 14th St. N.W., Washington DC
MAS Freedom chapters across the nation, including Raleigh, New York, Chicago, Anaheim, and San Francisco, to date, will join the campaign by holding rallies in the coming week. We encourage the organization of rallies in solidarity in front of Israeli consulars nationwide.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - SisterJennifer - 01-26-2008
Asalaamu alikum Muslimah,
Well, I dont feel like I have any good ideas. BUt the first thing we all should be doing is start to speak up. How can it be that any nation can prevent food aid to starving people of any nation and get away with something like that? How is it that people die of things such as athsma or diabetes and a million other human rights abuses that the whole world lets it go unnoticed? Is it because there is nobody speaking up that these things continue? Of course this is not something only Muslims should care about, but should muslims should care the most. And maybe we do, but I wonder if we have suffered some kind of mental defeat, I mean that people are afraid to donate money for fear of being thrown into prison for supporting 'terrorism' (my God) but we are supporting the terrorism now by keeping ourselves quiet. Foreign born Muslims feel if they even speak they may be deported or jailed or whatever. And what is the excuse for American Muslims? I dont know. When will we wake up? What would happen if every Muslim living in the USA just gave 10$ to help Palestine? What are they going to do, come lock every single one of us up? Or what if each of us did something, even small, to educate the people around us, to talk to our congress people, and while I dont have alot of faith in trusting politicians to do anything, if we make alot of moise maybe they would be forced to do something. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
If we show the world we dont care about our own people, why will anybody else?
May Allah forgive us and guide us, Ameen.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - SisterJennifer - 01-26-2008
From CAIR:
A sample letter you can personalize and send to your representatives is available below:
<b>IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:</b>
<b>1. WRITE to your elected officials</b> (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S. Senators) to demand an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Click here to download a sample letter from our website.
- Click here to find your representative.
- Sign and mail/fax the letter. Continue to call.
<b>2. WRITE a letter to the editor.</b>
- Go online to find letter requirements for your local newspaper or call the paper and ask for the Letters Editor.
Talking points:
* As a concerned American, I support an immediate end to the illegal Israeli blockade in Gaza.
* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment is always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a just resolution of any conflict.
* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those funds not be used to increase human suffering.
* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of human rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of Israel’s blockade.
* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of the Palestinian people.
* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may threaten the security of the United States.
<b>3. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY</b> by forwarding this alert to at least five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the same.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - Muslimah - 01-26-2008
Bismillah
I think those are good ideas Jennifer, I m soooo down, TV hear is on the hype for the African cup, yes newspapers are having front page stories specially food support and other being crossed thru borders, you think i can send those letters being a non american???
I also emailed the rally invitation to all those i know in the US including a Nazarine couple who are really activists regardless of the faith (I hope so) :confused_smile: They manage an NGO (righ based). May Allah Allow us to improve so that Allah Lifts this test.
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - soulperson - 01-27-2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Thank you very much indeed for your concerns for the Gaza people.They are in dire need for assistance.We Muslims believe that Allah can support the weak if he seeks Allah's help and make supplications and the total obediance of His Orders.
I believe that we are as Muslims weak due to our negliegnece of our faith.What is bad has fallen on is because of your bad deeds.
I believe in Allah as a Sustainer of the whole universe.We all should call on Him as Mohammad and his companions called on him when they were confounded in Makkah for three consective years.The whole matter is to stick to Allah's Commands and Victory will come soon.We are sure of Allah's Capability.He can change things in less than a flash of an eye.
We should have started Dua in our five prayers with sincere hopes and attetion. :lailahaillallah: :lailahaillallah:
Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza - SisterJennifer - 02-01-2008
<b>Action: Send 10,000 Letters for Gaza</b>
CAIR is calling on khateebs (speakers) to give time in their Friday khutbas (sermons) tomorrow toward the completion of a campaign to send 10,000 letters to members of Congress advocating an end to the illegal blockade in Gaza.
CAIR volunteers will provide letters at mosques to be signed by individuals. CAIR will then send these letters to your representatives in Congress.
Action: SIGN THE LETTER and give it to the volunteers at your mosque or mail it to CAIR’s national office at 453 New Jersey Ave, S.E., Washington, D.C., 20003
<b>Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "He who alleviates the suffering of a brother (in this) world, Allah will alleviate his (suffering on) the Day of Resurrection."</b>
Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1245