Qiyaam for Gaza, 11 July 2014, at your Masjid!

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Two days ago, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has, once again, embarked on a campaign of brutalisation and murder of the innocent Palestinian population of Gaza under the banner of its “operation protective edge” In the past 48 hours the IDF has demolished numerous homes and city structures, murdered 76 Palestinians, including 7 children, with numbers increasing every minute and this operation has injured scores more. The pretext put forth by the IDF is to stem the acts of resistance in the form of rockets from the besieged coastal sliver. A similar pretext was used to launch Operation Cast Lead in which 1400 Palestinians were massacred. Yet the primary reason for these brutal acts of violence against innocent Palestinian civilians is solely due to the Israeli Apartheid regime which fails to acknowledge the true origins of the resistance, i.e. the occupation of ALL of Palestine. 

During this month of Ramadhaan, our brothers and sisters in Palestine are continuously and currently being brutally attacked and are being subjected to both human and physical losses. This may leave many people with a feeling of frustration and helplessness at what could be done to assist in any way possible.We are reminded of the wise words of our Nabi Muhammad (SAW): “Du‘a is a weapon of a Muslim, a Pillar of Deen and the light of the skies and earth.” [Narrated by Hakim from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtudah, Hadith 6163] and the Words of Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’aan: And your Lord says: Call upon Me, I will answer you." [Surah Mu’min, Verse 60]

We are, therefore, calling for

1)     The mobilisation of our communities to collectively supplicate and plead to Allah to ease the suffering of ours fellow Ummatis by embarking on a Qiyaam for Gaza (#QiyaamforGaza) this Friday, 11 July 2014, after Taraweeh Salaah, at which ever Masjid you are praying.

What is a qiyam? Qiyam is an extra prayer offered after ‘Esha Salaah at night. During the Salaah after Ruku of the last Raka'at ’, one is able to ask Allah to assist and liberate the people of Palestine. If prayed in congregation, everyone is able to share the same call, begging Allah to shower His Mercy and Aid upon the Palestinian people.

2)     To dedicate and recite a special Surah Yaseen before Maghrib Salaah at your organization/MSA Chapter’s Mass Iftaar with a mass Dua asking Allah to ease the plight of Palestinians and all those who are oppressed.

The Prophet S.A.W explained the nature of his Ummah by describing us as one body. Considering the sacredness and centrality of this month, we would like to push for a global Qiyaam for Gaza just as there was for Syria and Burma.

We trust that you will join hands with us in prayer as we pray to Allah to help ease the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters. Join us in utilizing what Nabi (SAW) has said to be one of the most powerful weapons of a believer!

Twitter : @MSA_Union

Facebook: MSA Union

Email: info@msa.org.za

Hashtag: #QiyaamforGaza

Please approach your local masjid to have a Qiyaam & email us the confirmed venue (info@msa.org.za) so it can be advertised. Shukran.

Union's Israeli Apartheid Week 2014 - #IAW2014

IAW - Israeli Apartheid Week 2014

The IAW 2014 campaign is an international campaign, administered and brought to various countries by the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Movement. This is a special year for the IAW campaign as it marks the 10th successive year and it has truly been a progressive journey through the last 10 years. MSA Union is an active alliance of BDS and coordinates, supports and actively hosts programs across South Africa. This year there are 15 MSA Chapters, Spread nationally at their various respective campuses and cities that will be actively participating in the IAW 2014 campaign, hosting events, screenings, speakers and much more , and in collaboration with various co-hosts such as PSA , PSF, PSC and PYA Structures among others, IAW 2014 is running from the 10th March - 16 March 2014. For MSA Union IAW 2014 content such as the IAW Launch Videos, Posters and the official IAW 2014 Manual which are all available for download at the current interim site www.msa.org.za.

#IAW2014

Below is an article which was published in the WITS Newspaper authored by Nabeel Seedat, Heading the politics portfolio for MSA Wits, term of 2014:

Why it matters

When bulldozers arrived to demolish her home, in the Israeli controlled West Bank, 14-year-old Palestinian girl, Salha Hamadin begged her imaginary friend to take her somewhere safe and far away. This was the basis of a fairytale which would capture the world’s imagination and Salha would win the “Hans Christian Andersen – Fairytale Bay” prize for it.

The Israeli-Palestinian issue is one that should matter. Whether you have any political opinions or not. Whether you feel that the people of Palestine suffer under an oppressive Apartheid or not.  Whether you just want good in the world – the Israeli-Palestinian issue should matter to you.

We don’t need to take sides – or reduce it to a place filled with problems and crises – in order for it to matter.

The Israeli- Palestinian issue should matter to ALL Witsies because real people are suffering. People with their dignity, their culture, their frailties, their smiles, their dreams and their laughs. People just like you and I.

No matter what your opinion is, let’s think about it, care just a little and hopefully you’ll realise that Palestine matters, because Salha Hamadin matters.

From the 10^th-16^th of March, the PSC supported by the MSA are hosting Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) on the Library Lawns. Pass by and show that you care and that it matters to you.