John,

Today is Eid al-Fitr, which is usually a joyous celebration marking the end of Ramadan.

Eid Mubarak to my fellow Muslims in Michigan’s 12th, across our country, and the world. May Allah accept your fasts and deeds of the past month, and forgive us of our shortcomings.

I spoke on the House Floor this morning and reminded my colleagues that this Eid is not the same for the Muslim communities they represent. Gaza is on their minds and hearts today as they witness the starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. The images of children in Gaza celebrating Eid on top of the rubble of their homes, schools, and masjids that no longer stand brings them to tears. I urged my fellow members of Congress to listen to them and to not only offer prayers, but demand a permanent ceasefire. Saving lives should not be controversial.

It’s been more than 6 months of U.S.-backed genocide against the Palestinian people. This Eid, we recommit to pushing our government to stop funding and arming Israel’s military, to stop the Israeli government’s forced starvation of millions of Palestinians, and to end apartheid and occupation.

May we recommit to acting each day to honor and respect all human beings, especially people who are treated as less than human.

At the start of Ramadan this year, I lost my Sity, my grandmother Muftieh. I feel like a part of me died too. It brings me to tears knowing that my Sity never saw a Free Palestine. But I know her body and spirit will forever be in Palestine, among her olive trees and fig trees.

Even during so much pain and grief over my Sity's passing and the genocide in Gaza, our community is showing me the way forward. I know that we will keep creating a world where Palestinians and all people are allowed to live—and to live with dignity.

This Ramadan, we sent emails fundraising for two organizations doing on-the-ground work to support people in Gaza. Together, we raised over $130,000 for this urgent and life-sustaining aid.

Thank you so much for your ongoing activism and support. I’m honored to be by your side, working together for a better world.

With love,

Rashida