PRESS CONFERENCE AT MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF LEHIGH VALLEY
Organized by MALV, AL-Ahad, Al-Maqasid, Respect Graduate School, Lehigh Dialogue Center, EPMA (Easton) & Islamic Center of PA)
Many of us woke up today to the worst news we could receive and our heart and souls were broken. During Friday prayers, a terrorist entered Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid in Christchurch, New Zealand and opened fire, killing over fortnine worshippers and seriously injuring twenty-nine.
Each tragedy, each shooting, each killing, each massacre the club grows. And I know the pain that the families are feeling, because my family and myself have experience during 9/11 and the racial intimidation in front of Dunkin Donut. Muslim Ummah is like a body if one part hurts the whole-body hurts. Oppression and killing of single person anywhere, be it in China, Kashmir, Palestine, Rwanda or Darfur is as if the loss of humanity.
More than 150 people from the Lehigh Valley turned out for an extraordinary display of unity, with broad cross-sections of faith leader, lawmakers, blacks, whites, Christians, Jewish and Sikh to give comfort, pray and ask for the God’s love and mercy.
The event was covered by press and TV. We are thankful to Public Media Center, WFMZ-TV, FOX 56, MYTV, NBC, Telemundo62, Morning Call, Express Times and Parkland Press for coming for the Press Conference at such a short notice.
The Press conference started with leaders of five Mosques in Lehigh Valley speaking at times their voice cracking on many issues such as explaining to their kids it’s ok to wear Hijab (Veil), they can go to school and play soccer. You will be safe.
Christian, Jewish, Hindu faith leaders and lawmakers from Congresswoman Susan Wild spoke on different subject and their personnel experience with Muslim communities in Lehigh Valley. Many speakers from Br. Nagi Latefa the chair of Emgage Lehigh chapter call upon the nation’s political leaders, faith institutions to face reality that Islamophobia remains a problem in the nation. The country can no longer live in denial that Islamophobia does not exist. We need hate resolution passed at city, county, state and federal level.
According to FBI reports crimes committed by White Supremacy has not decreased but increased. Listen to what they say in their manifesto. This tragedy is a wakeup call and the cry out for America to continue to adjust its moral compass in the direction that affirms the dignity of life, liberty and justice for all.
This massacre was fueled by the same white nationalist hate that led to mass shootings against other communities of color in their houses of worship -- Sikhs in the gurdwara of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Black Americans in Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, and Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This act of mass violence was the result of white nationalist ideologies that we all have the power to eradicate
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
(From God we came and to Him is our return.)
We are heartbroken. We are in mourning with our Muslim family in New Zealand. We are doing our best, as individuals in grief, to hold each other close. But we’re also holding on to one clear truth that we will not allow to be muddled: This deadly violence is the inevitable conclusion of unchecked white supremacy and Islamophobia.
This terrorist attack is not an anomaly. It is part of a broader campaign sowing discord, bigotry, and hatred, not just in the United States, but across the world. This is what Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, and xenophobic rhetoric results in. We, as Americans, demand better. We ask our government and all institutions to take a stand against bigotry and hate speech.
Our leaders can and must do better and it is our responsibility to hold them accountable. We demand action, Speak Up! Silent No More! For our martyred Muslim family in New Zealand, we look to our scripture for solace: And do not reckon those who are killed in the path of Allāh as dead: rather they are alive and provided for with their Lord. - Āl ’Imrān
For the rest of our Muslim family in the U.S. and around the world: you are loved. You are worthy. You are cherished. We may be shaken, but we will not be deterred. We will hold, and protect each other, through our mourning.
Lastly, I condemn the rise of the white supremacy ideologies and Islamophobic rhetoric that gave platform to this terrorism. Lives have been lost as a direct result of unabated and unchecked Islamophobia. We request all members to do their part in condemning bigoted remarks of any kind and against any group in their communities and to pray for the safety of all vulnerable people around the world.
With profound heavy heart I pin this e-mail on the press conference with sadness at the slaughter of innocent lives. There are no words to adequately describes the brutality and evil of this crime, or to express the immense pain it is causing to the victim’s family and the community. Muslims around the world are shaken and saddened by this tragedy
We mourn with you all who are gather here today in the aftermath of this horrific white supremacist mass shooting. We pledge to rise up against white supremacy -- in our institutions, on our streets, online, in our homes, and in our own hearts. We pledge to take action to dismantle white supremacy in our institutions and cultures.
The vigil will be held at 7th and Hamilton Street, Allentown on Sunday at 7:00 pm.
It is organized by all the Mosques (Masajids) in the Lehigh Valley.
Let us in one voice join to condemn all forms of hate and bigotry. Our hearts aching, our heads are pounding. We beseech the Almighty Allah; how can this madness continue?
Many thanks to all who attended and sent sympathy & support messages.
Special thanks to Mike Schlossberg, Dr. Rev. Pickens from LCCC, AG’s office, Congresswoman Susan Wild, DA Jim martin, Sheriff Hanna, Senator Casey’s office, CeaseFire PA, Good Governance, Aaron Gorodzinsky of JFLV, Robin Burstein ADL Philadelphia. Mandip from Sikh Nazareth Gurdwala, Rabbi Seth, L.C commissioners, School Board member from Allentown and Parkland, SW commissioner, Mayor and anyone I missed.
Each tragedy, each shooting, each killing, each massacre the club grows. And I know the pain that the families are feeling, because my family and myself have experience during 9/11 and the racial intimidation in front of Dunkin Donut. Muslim Ummah is like a body if one part hurts the whole-body hurts. Oppression and killing of single person anywhere, be it in China, Kashmir, Palestine, Rwanda or Darfur is as if the loss of humanity.
More than 150 people from the Lehigh Valley turned out for an extraordinary display of unity, with broad cross-sections of faith leader, lawmakers, blacks, whites, Christians, Jewish and Sikh to give comfort, pray and ask for the God’s love and mercy.
The event was covered by press and TV. We are thankful to Public Media Center, WFMZ-TV, FOX 56, MYTV, NBC, Telemundo62, Morning Call, Express Times and Parkland Press for coming for the Press Conference at such a short notice.
The Press conference started with leaders of five Mosques in Lehigh Valley speaking at times their voice cracking on many issues such as explaining to their kids it’s ok to wear Hijab (Veil), they can go to school and play soccer. You will be safe.
Christian, Jewish, Hindu faith leaders and lawmakers from Congresswoman Susan Wild spoke on different subject and their personnel experience with Muslim communities in Lehigh Valley. Many speakers from Br. Nagi Latefa the chair of Emgage Lehigh chapter call upon the nation’s political leaders, faith institutions to face reality that Islamophobia remains a problem in the nation. The country can no longer live in denial that Islamophobia does not exist. We need hate resolution passed at city, county, state and federal level.
According to FBI reports crimes committed by White Supremacy has not decreased but increased. Listen to what they say in their manifesto. This tragedy is a wakeup call and the cry out for America to continue to adjust its moral compass in the direction that affirms the dignity of life, liberty and justice for all.
This massacre was fueled by the same white nationalist hate that led to mass shootings against other communities of color in their houses of worship -- Sikhs in the gurdwara of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Black Americans in Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, and Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This act of mass violence was the result of white nationalist ideologies that we all have the power to eradicate
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
(From God we came and to Him is our return.)
We are heartbroken. We are in mourning with our Muslim family in New Zealand. We are doing our best, as individuals in grief, to hold each other close. But we’re also holding on to one clear truth that we will not allow to be muddled: This deadly violence is the inevitable conclusion of unchecked white supremacy and Islamophobia.
This terrorist attack is not an anomaly. It is part of a broader campaign sowing discord, bigotry, and hatred, not just in the United States, but across the world. This is what Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, and xenophobic rhetoric results in. We, as Americans, demand better. We ask our government and all institutions to take a stand against bigotry and hate speech.
Our leaders can and must do better and it is our responsibility to hold them accountable. We demand action, Speak Up! Silent No More! For our martyred Muslim family in New Zealand, we look to our scripture for solace: And do not reckon those who are killed in the path of Allāh as dead: rather they are alive and provided for with their Lord. - Āl ’Imrān
For the rest of our Muslim family in the U.S. and around the world: you are loved. You are worthy. You are cherished. We may be shaken, but we will not be deterred. We will hold, and protect each other, through our mourning.
Lastly, I condemn the rise of the white supremacy ideologies and Islamophobic rhetoric that gave platform to this terrorism. Lives have been lost as a direct result of unabated and unchecked Islamophobia. We request all members to do their part in condemning bigoted remarks of any kind and against any group in their communities and to pray for the safety of all vulnerable people around the world.
With profound heavy heart I pin this e-mail on the press conference with sadness at the slaughter of innocent lives. There are no words to adequately describes the brutality and evil of this crime, or to express the immense pain it is causing to the victim’s family and the community. Muslims around the world are shaken and saddened by this tragedy
We mourn with you all who are gather here today in the aftermath of this horrific white supremacist mass shooting. We pledge to rise up against white supremacy -- in our institutions, on our streets, online, in our homes, and in our own hearts. We pledge to take action to dismantle white supremacy in our institutions and cultures.
The vigil will be held at 7th and Hamilton Street, Allentown on Sunday at 7:00 pm.
It is organized by all the Mosques (Masajids) in the Lehigh Valley.
Let us in one voice join to condemn all forms of hate and bigotry. Our hearts aching, our heads are pounding. We beseech the Almighty Allah; how can this madness continue?
Many thanks to all who attended and sent sympathy & support messages.
Special thanks to Mike Schlossberg, Dr. Rev. Pickens from LCCC, AG’s office, Congresswoman Susan Wild, DA Jim martin, Sheriff Hanna, Senator Casey’s office, CeaseFire PA, Good Governance, Aaron Gorodzinsky of JFLV, Robin Burstein ADL Philadelphia. Mandip from Sikh Nazareth Gurdwala, Rabbi Seth, L.C commissioners, School Board member from Allentown and Parkland, SW commissioner, Mayor and anyone I missed.
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