NATIONAL MUSLIM LEADERSHIP REJECTS UPJ "SEGREGATION" APPROACH TO SEPTEMBER 24 MARCH ON WASHINGTON
Thousands of Muslims Mobilizing for September 24 March on Washington Under the MAS Freedom and National Coalition Banner http://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=2621 (Washington, DC) - Over one hundred prominent Muslim leaders and National organizations have indicated that there is only one rally and march in Washington, DC, on September 24. And it will not be the "Segregation" March proposed by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ). Responding to what has been categorized as a patronizing elitist and separation agenda that has long been a divisive issue in the anti-war and peace movement, prominent leaders in the Muslim and Arab community made it clear that they will not allow groups like the United for Peace and Justice set the agenda for American Muslim involvement in the peace movement. Thus the idea that UFPJ will attempt to hold a separate March and Rally on September 24 in Washington, DC, and not join in principle the September 24 National Coalition for the March on Washington is viewed by many as a "segregationist counter-rally". Why? The answer is simple. It is all about having a principle position on Palestine. When it is all said and done UFPJ has paid mere lip service to the Palestine issue and struggle as being part and parcel of the American Peace Movement. They have ignored the insistence of authentic voices in the Muslim and Arab community that ending the occupation of Palestine and other regions of the world should not be decoupled from ending the occupation in Iraq. Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, MAS Freedom Foundation stated, "The days when a few elitists with a few surrogate persons of color can stymie the hope and aspirations of millions of American Muslims concerning a principle agenda and response to what takes place in the Muslim world is over. Let's get real here, UFPJ called for a segregated March in DC after the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition made the initial call. They listed all kinds of excuses why they can't join a unity effort. The reality is that a strong peace agenda put forth by the Muslim Community is not a reality that UFPJ is willing to accept and that is most unfortunate for the Peace and Justice Movement. I was there at a unity event when UFPJ remove the Palestinian flag from the stage. That speaks volumes for the leadership of UFPJ. However, I don't believe that the UFPJ leadership aversion to the Palestinian struggle is representative of the position of UFPJ's grassroots. "As I've stated earlier we hold no ill will toward our brothers and sisters in the UFPJ, however, I just wish the leadership would drop the fig leaf, be up front and say that because of money and the fact of upsetting some left of center Democrats and other who have resisted the raising of the issue of the rights of the Palestinian People for true self determination they can not join the masses on September 24th. Instead, they have chosen to sponsor a segregated counter march and rally. It is sad commentary on this facet of our movement but I truly believe that on September 24 those who want an inclusive movement will prevail on the streets of Washington, DC." ========================================= The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national grassroots religious, social, and educational organization. MAS is America's largest grassroots Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide. Learn more at www.masnet.org. Support our work at MAS Freedom Foundation. Make a donation. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VTJP/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
