(FinalCall.com)--United in faith, purpose and the fight for justice,
members of the Chicago Palestinian community shared an evening of
information and a part of themselves with members of the Nation of Islam
on June 6 at Muhammad University.
In continuing efforts to forge connections with
various cultural communities, Mosque Maryam hosted Palestinian Unity
Night, offering a delightful taste of the region�s cuisine and music
under the theme, "The Struggle Continues."
"We plan to bring all of our communities here ...
because only in unity can we effectively defeat the forces of
injustice," said Minister Ishmael Muhammad during his welcome, noting
the similarities of the plight of Black people and the Palestinian
population in that "we were forcibly taken from our native land and our
native people."
Local Palestinian activists Manal El-Hrisse; Raeed
Tayeh, public relations officer for the Islamic Association for
Palestine; Rafeeq Jaber, president of the Islamic Association in North
America; and Ather Masood prepared a provocative presentation that kept
the audience spellbound to the end.
The night�s journey began with a brief reading of the
history of the circumstances around the Holy Land�s occupation. This led
to a visual trip through the mass of rubble and mutilated corpses found
in the aftermath of the numerous massacres of Muslims in Palestine.
Viewing a visceral video documentary left the audience in reflective
silence which was broken by a question and answer session that explored
the conflict�s political ramifications, Qur�anic fulfillment and the
responsibility of the Muslims.
"As long as you don�t think globally as a true
Muslim," cautioned Raeed Tayeh, the false idea that "your cause is only
here in the immediate surroundings in Chicago" will create division and
isolation.
"We need to speak up loud and proud," urged Manal El-Hrisse,
setting forth a passionate plea to educate children about the struggle
and to stand up in objection to biased media coverage and U.S. policies
regarding the Middle East.
Instead of attempting to change U.S. policy, Mother
Tynnetta Muhammad, wife of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, advised the
audience to focus on coming together with all other oppressed peoples
because "the peace process is not in the hands of America."
"The Palestinian struggle in the Holy Land is the
struggle of all of our people all over the planet," she further
explained. "To get a Holy Land, we have to drive out the enemy," but
this can only be possible, she said if "we call on Allah in unity."
In her closing of the program, she made reference to
the "angelic hosts" that helped Prophet Muhammad of Arabia in his
battles and the "divine help" given to David in throwing a stone at
Goliath. She added: "There is no political solution to the problem that
we are having in Palestine, or in Africa, or in Asia ... If we do not
come together as one ummah, as one nation, praising the One God, we will
not get the help that we need to conquer the enemy."
Photos: 1) Min. Ishmael Muhammad
stands with members of the Palestinian delegation, including (4th from
left) Rafeeq Jaber, Min. Ishmael Muhammad, Ather Masood, Raeed Tayeh and
Manal El-Hrisse 2) Mother Tynetta Muhammad and Manal El-Hrisse share a
moment of sisterhood after the presentation. (Credit: Kenneth Muhammad)
