On BDS & Freedom of Speech

(New York, New York 1/19/2017)

“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor….verily, God is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do.” [Q uran 4:135]

The Majlis Ash-Shura A.K.A Islamic Leadership Council of New York, a coalition of over 80 Masajid (mosques) and Muslim organizations, is pleased to announce that on 10/12/2016, the House of Representatives of Majlis Ash-Shura has passed a resolution calling for the boycott, divestment and sanctions [“BDS”] of all institutions that support, and benefit from, the Israeli occupation of Palestine.  Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.

BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity and asks people and institutions to call for the Boycott of those who participate in and benefit from Israeli occupation of Palestine.  Hundreds of Churches, Academic Institutions, and Civil Society Organizations across the U.S. have adopted BDS, today we join them in standing for justice and equality.

For nearly seventy (70) years the Israelis have imposed upon the Palestinians a system of oppression with full impunity.  Palestinians have been forced to endure home demolitions, the murder and imprisonment of their families, apartheid laws, military control and occupation, and the daily indignations of being a colonized people. Muslims are enjoined from engaging in oppression and we are enjoined from supporting oppression. By adopting BDS and ensuring that our members adopt and educate their congregants about BDS, the Majlis is merely refusing to support Israeli oppression and occupation of Palestine.

The Majlis also recognizes that many of the same institutions that support the Israeli occupation of Palestine, also actively support anti-Muslim organizations across the U.S.  Therefore, our adoption of BDS is not just a refusal to support those who oppress Palestinians, but it is a refusal to support those who also seek to oppress our own communities.

Accordingly, the Majlis calls on all its member organizations to adopt and educate their members and congregants about BDS and to refrain from engaging in any faith washing activities. The Majlis leadership will provide to our membership BDS informational materials advising our members of the groups and corporations which are on the BDS list.