Maryland Muslim Organizations Statement in Solidarity with the Palestinian People
October 18, 2023
We, the undersigned organizations, grieve for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Palestine and the loss of life in Israel and the tremendous loss of life in the Gaza Strip. We unequivocally condemn the indiscriminate and ongoing violence by the Israeli government and military against the Palestinian people. Targeting civilians is not acceptable in any case.
This current crisis did not occur in a vacuum. The Israeli government has violently oppressed Palestinians for over 75 years – forcing Palestinian families out of their homes, killing Palestinian civilians, including children, and subjecting Palestinians to a racist apartheid system. For 17 years, Israel has subjected Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to a brutal military siege, cutting the area off from the rest of the world and trapping over 2 million of its inhabitants inside. Israel’s siege on Gaza has deliberately deprived the population of their most basic freedoms to move freely, fish, farm, and study. Israel’s most recent decision to deny this same population fuel, food, water and electricity is tantamount to collective punishment and a gross pretext for what can only be understood as an intent to commit the crime of genocide. It must be stopped.
We all want and deserve to live in peace and safety. That requires that we address the root cause of the problem. We need to act now to end Israel’s oppression of Palestinians so we can have a safe and just future for all.
We join other organizations like the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, American Muslims for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Council on American Islamic Relations, and other advocacy organizations in calling on the Biden administration to:
- Immediately ensure a ceasefire to stop the massacre of civilians in Gaza
- Ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza
- Bring Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza home to the U.S.
- Ensure the equal and full application of international law to the examination of war crimes committed by the Israeli government and military
- End the U.S. government’s military funding of Israel
As a united voice, we are urging our local Maryland elected leaders at every level of the government and the Biden administration to address the alarming rise in hate bias incidents, publicly and vocally condemn the growing hostility towards Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities in our state, and in our country.
Respectfully,
Anne Arundel County Muslim Council (AACMC)
Frederick County Muslim Council (FCMC)
Howard County Muslim Council (HCMC)
Montgomery County Muslim Council (MCMC)
Prince George’s County Muslim Council (PGCMC)
United Maryland Muslim Council (UMMC)
Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM)
Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA)
Islamic Community Center of Potomac (ICCP)
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Office in Maryland
Islamic Society of Baltimore (ISB)
The Noor Center
Muslim American Society (MAS) Maryland
Muslim Community Center (MCC)
