Do you know what 76 years of oppression feels like? |
On November 3rd, 2023 around 10:45 PM, my beloved sister and I were standing at a bus stop with our backpacks along with a group of people who had all come from their respective walks of life to gather for a late night bus ride, united by a singular vision. Our designated bus and driver appeared, and we filed onto the bus to take an overnight trip to Washington D.C., reaching Freedom Plaza in D.C. after a long 8 hours. As I exited the bus, I looked around and noticed that a good number of the people stepping off our bus were part of the Queer community. I asked my sister why she thought so many Queer people, like myself, would want to support the freedom of Palestine. She answered, “You all know what oppression feels like right, then why would you not stand for Palestine?”.
At around 11:00 AM on Saturday November 4th, 2024, the protest began. We were sleep deprived, tired, restless, and waving Palestinian flags. We listened to speaker after speaker before joining the 400,000 strong march around 3 PM. I am holding myself up like a strong American Muslim boy, chanting “Free Free Palestine”. I see a group of protestors carrying a long paper block with the names of innocent humans killed in less than 30 days. I shed a tear. Seconds later, I find myself sobbing and a shiver passes through my body as if someone is pouring my blood out. Moments later, I can’t breath, I am bawling, chasing the butcher block paper printed with the names of the victims of this horrific genocide. I am trying to find the end. I walked a few feet, not finding the end. I continued walking and after 100 or so feet, I reached the end of the paper block.
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I fall on the ground, I can’t see, I can’t breathe, my heart is pounding, I raised my hands in dua and all I can say is:
“Oh Allah, bring us all to peace, bring peace to Palestine, I can’t take this pain anymore, I am hurting, we are all hurting. I beg You for peace and protection of every single living being and every child who is suffering in Gaza. They are human, Your creation, and deserve to live in peace like the rest of us. I beg You to stop this pain”.
For the first time I felt a tiny fraction of the pain that my Palestinian siblings live every moment and I can’t breathe. Maybe I am too sensitive, do you know what 77 years of oppression feels like?
Kandeel Javid
MPV-Boston Director
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We are delighted to partner with Shirakat and Girls First Fund to bring you “Youth Speak! Pakistani Women Against Early Marriages”, a CSW 68 Parallel Event on March 14th, 2024 from 12:30 - 2 PM ET. For more information, please visit the link below. |
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GCEFL's CSW Event: The Economics of Family Law |
Please join the Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law on March 13, 2024 for our CSW Parallel Event, The Economics of Family Law: A Domino Effect on Gender Equality from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM EST at the Church of Sweden in NYC. |
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In January 2024, MPV’s Chaplaincy Endorsement Consultant, Syazana Durrani, participated in the Association of Muslim Chaplain’s Virtual Conference Endorsement Panel. Each representative spoke on the respective endorsement agency’s institutional assets as well as endorsement processes. The MPV endorsing committee has recently improved its processes to ensure that applicants are able to highlight their spiritual caregiving strengths while also upholding MPV’s principles.
Another way the committee is strengthening its pool of knowledge and shared meaning is by inviting interested MPV members to join the Endorsing committee. We welcome your depth of experience from your own lens of lived lives and professional expertise to help our applicants grow and be supported by our endorsement. If interested, please email [email protected].
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MPV-Boston was very delighted to collaborate with Rev. Leah Lyman and Cantor Lisa Doob for an interfaith discussion about welcoming refugees and new community members to the town of Arlington. We are very thankful for Arlington town for being proactive and welcoming us to their incredibly progressive community space. |
On March 23rd, 2024, MPV-Boston will host their 6th annual Iftar dinner. This dinner will be full of performances, prayers and more from local Muslims. This Iftar will be dedicated to Palestine and will raise funds for the family of Gazi Faqawi in Gaza who are affected by the genocide. For this event and upcoming future events, please sign up using our Sign up link.
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March 16: Please join the MPV Los Angeles chapter for a Ramadan Iftar at a private residence in Los Angeles (90043 zip code). RSVP below to receive the exact location and more details about the event. |
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March 12 - April 10: As in past years, MPV-DC will host virtual nightly Quran readings during the month of Ramadan in collaboration with the Atlanta Unity Mosque. The goal is to read the entire Quran by the end of Ramadan. Each night, people will gather virtually via Zoom and read the Quran for approximately 1 hour. Participants will take turns reading verses from an English translation of the Quran and the text will be shared on screen. For more information and access details, visit the MPV-DC meetup page here.
March 15: MPV-DC will host an iftar dinner at a local restaurant in DC. For more information, visit the MPV-DC meetup page here.
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Support the Muslim Musical Mosaic Project! |
This Ramadan, consider donating your Zakat to help Muslims for Progressive Values create a new Muslim American musical tradition through the Muslim Musical Mosaic Project. |
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Acacia Mag | Navigating Culture Wars | February 15, 2024 |
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Sikh Muslim Marriage Concerns |
The latest piece from longtime advocate for pluralism and religious tolerance and an MPV Interfaith Marriage Officiant, Mike Mohamed Ghouse is now available for purchase on our website. The new piece highlights issues that individuals in a Muslim-Sikh interfaith relationship may face and similarities between these religious traditions. |
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