Peace be upon you,

We witness a calamitous situation in Palestine, where great persecution has continued for several decades, culminating in the latest chapter with the killing of thousands of people in the last several weeks.

Allah Himself has blessed this land in the Qur’an where He says, “Exalted is He who took His servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed.” (Qur’an 17:1).

We see in horror, in this blessed land, the suffering of our brothers and sisters. There is continuous bombardment combined with a ground invasion, with complete disregard for the value of sacred human life. “When they are told, ‘Do not spread corruption in the land,’ they reply, ‘We are only peace-makers!’ Indeed, it is they who are the corruptors, but they fail to perceive it.” (Qur’an 2:11)

As a result of these actions, more than 10,000 people have been killed, of whom more than 4000 are children. (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/pressure-israel-over-civilians-steps-up-ceasefire-calls-rebuffed-2023-11-06/#:~:text=GAZA%2C%20Nov%206%20(Reuters),Israeli%20strikes%20had%20exceeded%2010%2C000)

Our beloved departed will have the highest reward from Allah, who says “And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, ‘they are dead.’ Rather they are alive, but you perceive it not.” (Qur’an 2:154) A further reminder are His words “And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them from His bounty and they receive good tidings about those after them who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 3:169-170)

We are One Ummah, as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (on him be peace) has said “the parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6011, Sahih Muslim 2586).

It is in our capacity as One Ummah, who believe in “whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved the lives of all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32) that we unequivocally demand the following five points with immediate effect:

1. Enforce complete withdrawal from occupied Palestinian lands.
2. End illegal occupation, settlements and breach of international law.
3. Abide by international humanitarian law and provide access to humanitarian aid.
4. Lift the illegal 16-year blockade on Gaza – a collective punishment and a war crime.
5. Rescind the appalling “evacuation” order, which has left more than one million people displaced.

Damning evidence of war crimes as Israeli attacks wipe out entire families in Gaza – Amnesty International and https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/world/occupied-palestinian-territories-and-israel-crisis-appeal

We demand that our MP stands up for its constituents to support these five points.

We pray that Allah gives us the ability to make sincere dua and prayers, financially support the needy, raise awareness of critical causes around the world and provide us with strength to call on those in authority over us. In all this, to make us a positive role model for others.

O Allah, bless and unite the Ummah of Muhammad (on him be peace).

Exeter Mosque and Cultural Centre

Further Links:  

1)    For community actions click here: https://www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk/news/guidance-on-palestine

2)    For guidance click here: https://mcb.org.uk/resources/mcb-guidance-on-palestine-2023/ 

3)    To access an electronic template letter (courtesy of Islamic Relief) to send to your MP click here and add your address: https://islamicrelief.good.do/protect-civilians-in-gaza/email-mp/ 

4)    Text for Template (Letter to MP) If you cannot access the online template letter, use the text below and post it to our local MP.

Dear Ben Bradshaw,

I am writing as a supporter of Islamic Relief, an NGO which has worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 1997. They have an office in Gaza and work closely with local partner organisations to deliver a wide range of programmes supporting families, schools and hospitals.  

I am deeply appalled by the violence that has unfolded in the region and killed thousands of civilians. All parties have a duty to respect and uphold international humanitarian law and ensure that civilians are protected, and that duty is clearly not being met. 

The tightening of Israel’s siege of Gaza – cutting off supplies of food, medicine, fuel and aid – represents collective punishment of all 2.2 million people living in Gaza, around half of whom are children. The current order for more than 1 million people to leave northern Gaza is contributing to a humanitarian catastrophe. Hospitals have been ordered to empty and families have been bombed as they follow the order to flee. Food and water are running out.   

The death toll is mounting hourly, and the humanitarian crisis is critical – with worse yet to come. I am asking you to urgently write to the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, and urge him to: 

1. Call for an immediate ceasefire to prioritise the preservation of human life. 

2. Demand that Israel immediately ends its complete siege of Gaza and ensures that humanitarian aid safely reaches people in need in accordance with humanitarian principles. Israel must allow safe and unimpeded entry of fuel, water, food, and other humanitarian necessities into Gaza. 

3. Demand that all parties comply with international law and ensure that civilians are protected from harm. All parties must not target civilians or civilian infrastructure and must ensure that civilians have access to basic necessities such as water, food and power. 

4. Increase UK aid to Palestine to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs and work with international partners to ensure that governments continue to fund humanitarian organisations and UN agencies responding to the crisis.   

I hope you will urgently deliver these messages to the Foreign Secretary, and I would urge you to also raise these issues with the leader of your party and in parliament.  

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Name:

Contact details:

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