Articles
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May 2004, pages 74-75
Muslim-American Activism
Muslim Memorial for Rachel Corrie
The Islamic Coalition Seeking Universal Justice and Peace for All People (ICSUJAP) sponsored a memorial for murdered peace activist Rachel Corrie at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC March 13—just three days before the first anniversary of her death. Although the crowd was fairly small, passersby frequently stopped to listen or look at the posters the organizers displayed, or took informational flyers handed out by several young boys. They seemed concerned that they were only then hearing about the sacrifice of a young American girl who believed Palestinians had rights.Virtually every speaker—including emcee Sr. Sumiyeh Aboosaiedi, Imam Mohammad al-Asi, Sr. Safiyyah Abdullah, and Abdul Alim Musa, as well as a telephone talk from Rachel’s father, Craig Corrie—spoke of how Rachel had the courage to stand up for what was morally right, despite the difficulty of doing so. Corrie’s father also asked that those concerned call their congressional representatives urging them to support H.Con.Res 111, which calls for an investigation into Corrie’s death under a Caterpillar bulldozer driven by an Israeli soldier. If the soldier was innocent of wrongdoing as Israel claimed, Corrie said, then he should want to be exonerated by an independent investigation—and if guilty, he should be held accountable. Craig Corrie closed by asking people to pray that Israeli soldiers would wake up to what they were doing and join the ranks of the refuseniks.
As Corrie mentioned, this memorial was one of many around the country to spread the message of Rachel’s courage and sacrifice. Sr. Aboosaiedi adjured the assembly not to forget the others who had made great sacrifices—the Palestinians fighting for their lives and the other internationals, especially Tom Hurndall and Brian Avery, both of whom were shot in the head—one, Hurndall, dead, the other forever scarred.
—Sara Powell
Show of Support for Muslim Americans at AMV Dinner
A National Day of Solidarity with Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians was celebrated at a lively dinner hosted Feb. 22 by the American Muslim Voice (AMV) at the Mehran Restaurant in Newark, CA.Peace and justice activists from around the San Francisco Bay Area enjoyed a delicious dinner of South Asian dishes before the proceedings began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Iftekhar Hai, director of the Interfaith Tolerance Project of the United Muslims of America.
A dozen or so guests spoke from the heart about standing in solidarity with one another and with targeted people everywhere. Some told the audience how they became part of the post-9/11 movement to support Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians. Among the activists who shared their hopes for a better future were Ben Allen, Blue Triangle Network; Cynthia Morse, Savors; Matt Vansun, Amnesty International; Tanya, Not In Our Name; Nam Nguyen, United Asians; Alicia Larco, Day Laborers; Don Sparks, Refuse and Resis¢; Rita Akayama, October 22nd Coalition; Cecilia Chang, Justice for New Americans; Bob Kearney, American Civil Liberty Union; and KPFA board member Riva Einteen.
Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kuchinich sent his representative to the dinner and assured the Muslim-American community that he stands by it.
In a message to the AMV, Rev. Michael Yoshii of Buena Vista United Methodist Church, who was unable to attend the dinner, said, “We are reminded that the forces which committed Japanese Americans into concentration camps during World War II are present with us today.”
The Wartime Commission, which issued the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, apologized to the Japanese Americans, citing “wartime hysteria,” “racial prejudice,” and “lack of political leadership” as factors leading to their incarceration. Said Rev. Yoshii, “We know that since 9/11, with the ”˜War on Terrorism,’ similar forces are at play in the detention and deportation of not only Muslim and Arab Americans, but also other South Asian and Asian American groups as well.
“The anxieties and fears aroused by such conditions are within our visceral memory and history,” he continued. “We pray for those who have been separated from families, and those whose cases are yet to be heard. I share with you the outrage and concern that stems from a place of hope, a call for justice, and a mutually found spiritual faith.”
ún her earlier welcoming remarks, Samina Faheem Sundas, AMV executive director, urged American Muslims to educate themselves about what is happening in the U.S., to get involved, mobilize others, and thank the people who have been standing by them since 9/11.
Three prominent activists were presented with special awards for their dedication and effectiveness. The “Spirit of Solidarity Award” was given to Rev. John Oda, senior pastor of San Francisco’s Pine United Methodist Church, which has supported the Jones Street Mosque against vandalism and hate crimes. Reverend Oda said it was important to know why we are observing a solidarity day for Muslims, Arabs and South Asians. His grandparents were in the internment camps during the Second World War, he added, and, even though he never experienced the ordeal, he could feel the pain it caused.
Medea Benjamin, founding director of Global Exchange, received the “Human Rights Award” for her unwavering work in all areas of human rights. Father Louis Vitale, pastor of Saint Boniface, San Francisco, was presented the “Inter-community Peace and Justice Award” in appreciation of his exemplary courage of conviction in the face of great adversity, and his leadership by example. Father Vitale, a ubiquitous and inspirational leader, spoke with humor and conviction on the occasion.
—Abdus Sattar Ghazali and Cynthia Morse
