Saturday, July 12, 2014

Dear Mr. President: An Open Letter

Dear Mr. President, 

I am an American and a Muslim. I am a mother, a wife and a student at a major university. I am writing this letter because I, as well as most of the Muslim world and many others want to know, when will you step in and stop allowing Israel to unmercifully slaughter the people of Palestine?? 

While you, along with many other community leaders in this country are planning and promoting interfaith Iftar dinners to show solidarity among all faiths, when will you stand up for the Muslims of Palestine, Mr. President?? Stand up for the people of Gaza who are forced to perform their daily prayers while missiles and rockets rain down upon them; those people who are losing their homes and their families every hour of every day! 

My heart breaks and I am ashamed of this country and the other world leaders who refuse to acknowledge the fact that terrorism knows no boundaries! You, your constituents, opponents and your peers label any Muslim who chooses to stand up for themselves or our Ummah by fighting back against those who oppress them "jihadist", "extremist", "militant" but you choose to justify the obvious acts of terrorism of the Zionists against the Muslims of Palestine!! What is labeled as justified retaliation for an action of Hamas has turned into genocide! 

Mr. President, the world is crying out for an intercession by the leaders of the world on the behalf of the people of Gaza! Surely, you hear our plea to stop these crimes against humanity! 

Over the past five days, there have been over one hundred Palestinian lives lost due to Israeli military targeted missile attacks on civilian houses including innocent women and children!  

What are you waiting for, Mr. President?? What are you afraid of?? Are you worried about your position of authority?? You can't be re-elected for another term. 

Mr. President, nearly two years ago, you made a brief phone call to a hospital in Qatar. You spoke to a young Muslim woman, an American and an employee of Microsoft who suffered severe acid burns over half of her body. That woman was my sister and my best friend. That phone call from you meant the world to her and even though she had been made to see the hatred of some, she felt a sense of calm by speaking to you. The difference between that woman and the Muslims of Palestine is that she was American and they are not. This does not mean that they do not deserve to have a voice or be heard! They are enduring supreme hate because they are Muslim.

When will you be a voice for the people who need it, Mr. President?? When will you and the other leaders of the world see who are truly the oppressed and who are the oppressors!? 

Help the Muslim people of Gaza! Stand up for what is right and not for what will benefit you politically. 

-Oklahoma Niqabi

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