On September 23, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) held a fundraiser at Chandni’s Restaurant to raise awareness for their organization. The event featured Dr. Hatem Bazian, Imam Zaid Shakir, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and Dr.Mohammad Rajabally to coordinate fundraising efforts.
Dr. Hatem Bazian, president of AMP, discussed that Muslims in the U.S. are not well informed about Palestine, citing self preservation as a big issue. He said that we all need to speak loudly (but politely, he added) and that history does not talk about the silent person. “History remembers those who stand up against great odds,” Bazian said.
Bazian detailed the plans that AMP, with its various chapters across the country, has to educate the masses. Potential endeavors include education projects for colleges that involve sending informational material, plans to have a study abroad program in Palestine, and podcasts. AMP’s website already features Fact Sheets discussing topics, such as the occupation and settlements, necessary for at least a basic understanding of the issue at hand.
Bazian also volunteered his organization to come to any mosque or other venue to talk about the Palestinian issue and AMP’s cause.
Later, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf spoke about the religious significance of Jerusalem and how it is a place of sanctity for all of the Abrahamic religions. He emphasized that the Muslim narrative involving Jerusalem is inclusive of the other traditions. He also mentioned that when Caliph Umar ibn-al-Khattab gained control of Jerusalem, he allowed Jews to reenter the city.
In the end, the event created a better understanding of the necessity of AMP. Those involved have quite a challenge ahead of them and hopefully their fundraising efforts, conducted by Mohammad Rajabally and Imam Zaid Shakir, will aid them in spreading the message about what is going on in Palestine, the importance of Jerusalem, and why Muslims should care.
Additional Information:
The Christian Science Monitor posted a good article last week titled Palestine: democracy not Zionism by John V. Whitbeck.
He argues for a one state solution, which Sheikh Hamza called for last night as well. Whitbeck writes: “No one would suggest that the moral, ethical, and intellectual transformation necessary to achieve a decent one-state solution will be easy. However, more and more people now recognize that a decent two-state solution has become impossible.”
Two filmmakers created a documentary about the basics of the occupation aptly titled Occupation 101. This documentary has won numerous awards and its presentation of facts tied in with commentaries makes it an accessible introduction to Palestine and the occupation. I can personally attest to how great this documentary is, especially for those who know next to nothing about the situation.
