Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza from the People of Utah
Governor of Utah, your support is more vital than ever. The people of Utah ask you to speak up for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has claimed too many lives, and with your voice joining ours, we can amplify the call for peace and safety.
Governor of Utah, your support is more vital than ever.
The people of Utah ask you to speak up for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has claimed too many lives, and with your voice joining ours, we can amplify the call for peace and safety.
Key Requests from Utahns:
- Use your influential position to advocate for immediate intervention, de-escalation, and a ceasefire to halt the tragic events unfolding in Gaza.
- Champion the prompt dispatch and acceptance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, offering solace to those gravely affected by the turmoil.
Your leadership can make a profound impact. We urge you, on behalf of all Utahns, to stand with us in this critical juncture and echo our plea for peace and necessary assistance in Gaza. The time to act is now.
Read our full statement:
Take Action:
Utahns Urge Support For Afghan Aid and Special Visas
As concerned citizens, we call on the Biden Administration and Congress.
Our hearts cannot describe the pain and despair we feel for the people of Afghanistan, whose lives are once again being put at risk by our government mismanagement of troop withdrawal and neglect for civilian lives they purported to defend for the past two decades.
Sign a letter addressing Utah’s Elected Representatives showing support of Afghans
Need Support? Check out our Afghan Community Support Page
Get involved by checking out these resources and donation links.
This is our public statement on the tragedy in Afghanistan.
As concerned citizens, we call on the Biden Administration and Congress for the following:
1) Evacuate and resettle Afghans who are at risk and/or fleeing the country.
2) Increase the amount and expedite the process for Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans and categories that Afghans can apply for asylum under.
3) Catalyze the international community to deliver assistance and aid to Afghans who are at risk of becoming refugees or internally displaced.
Our hearts cannot describe the pain and despair we feel for the people of Afghanistan, whose lives are once again being put at risk by our government’s mismanagement of troop withdrawal and neglect for civilian lives they purported to defend for the past two decades.
For decades, the people of Afghanistan have been treated as pawns and tools of American security interests in the area. Beyond translators who risked their lives aiding America with intelligence, the civilians of Afghanistan, which include Muslims divided along with ethnic identities, as well as Afghanistan’s many visible minorities like Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews, have been the primary victim of America’s longest war, being used by both sides to gain strategic advantages.
Exclusive evacuations of American citizens while Afghans cling to planes to escape the country are wrong and should cease immediately. Reinforcing the idea that our own citizens are intrinsically worth more than Afghan citizens not only recreates American exceptionalism, but it also means world leaders can never cooperate on a global level because national interests supersede the global good in that view. Abandoning Afghan translators and workers who made the difficult decision of becoming informants for the US, thus risking death or worse to them and their families, sends a dangerous signal that the U.S. only engages in transactional partnerships and tarnishes U.S. credibility, and thus lowers the chance of more people choosing to be interpreters. Abandoning Afghan women directly contradicts U.S. liberal-international values.
By virtue of carrying out a war in Afghanistan to topple its regime, the U.S. bears the moral responsibility to mobilize the international community to deliver assistance and supplies to Afghans who are facing dire conditions across the country’s provinces. There are simply no other options if we desire to save the lives of people we have yet to even treat like humans. The time to ask questions regarding a political solution to Afghanistan’s crisis is 20 years too late. Now, saving the lives of Afghanistan’s people must be our utmost priority. Absent our government, who knows the potential possibilities for Afghanistan’s people? How can we claim to defend peace and justice if we can’t own up to the consequences of our military’s actions?
Additionally, the Taliban’s ascension back to power is extremely troubling and concerning. Their history of repressing religious, ethnic, and sexual minorities—especially women—are violations of the sovereignty and rights of Afghanistan’s people. No one should have to fear persecution or attacks for their gender or ethnic identity, period. These are the populations that we call upon the Biden Administration and Congress to take measures and protect at-risk Afghans who have political disagreements with the Taliban.
Afghanistan’s situation is yet another moment where we are reminded that centering the voices of native and local communities is essential when we create, discuss, and enforce policies that are massively consequential to their lives. Absent an in-depth understanding of those communities, it will be impossible for us to alter policy in the most beneficial manner to Afghan people—not American profits or politics.
We stand in unequivocal defense and solidarity with the Afghan people in this moment of great pain and uncertainty.
Sign and send a letter addressing elected officials petitioning on behalf of Afghans
Joint Statement Against Antisemitism and Islamophobia
The Utah Muslim Civic League has brought together 13 Muslim organizations with 10 Jewish organizations in a joint statement denouncing attacks on any House of Worship.
In an unprecedented way, the Utah Muslim Civic League has brought together 13 Muslim organizations with 10 Jewish organizations in a joint statement denouncing attacks on any House of Worship.
We reject all acts of violence or destruction toward Muslims, Jews or their places of gathering and worship. We stand united against hate.
Official Statement:
Islamic Center of Kuwait in Utah
Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake
Islamic Society of Bosniaks in Utah
Al Zahra Islamic Center
Al Huda Islamic Center
Utah Valley Islamic Center
Joint Statement Against Violence In the Holy Land
We strongly oppose and are devastated by the ongoing violence in the most sacred and historic land to all Abrahamic faiths.
We strongly oppose and are devastated by the ongoing violence in the most sacred and historic land to all Abrahamic faiths.
We have spent two grueling weeks watching the violence in Gaza and Israel with heartache and grief. Gaza is a densely populated open-air concentration camp where travel to the outside world is highly restricted or impossible. The death of 243 Palestinians and more than 2,000 injured is too much to bear for individuals who have already lost so much over the past 73 years. We also oppose the targeting of several hospitals, the only COVID testing center, a rehabilitation center for children, and the offices of news organizations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The death of 12 Israeli civilians by indiscriminate rocket attacks launched by Hamas on residential neighborhoods is ethically reprehensible and cannot be justified or condoned in any way.
As we get some temporary relief over the fragile cease-fire, our hearts ache again over the heavy-handed actions of the IDF against Masjid Al-Aqsa demonstrators on Friday. Desecration of religious sites are unjustifiable and should not be tolerated abroad or at home.
Since 1948, Palestinians have endured targeted violence, ethnic cleansing, dehumanizing treatment, killing of unarmed civilians, home demolitions, and forced evictions perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlements. Israeli based NGO (B’Tselem1), Human Rights Watch2, European Union3, United Nations (resolutions 4464, 4525, 4656, 4717 and 4768), United Nations Security Council (resolution 23349), and the foreign policy of several countries including Canada and England declare that Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories are in direct violation of international law and are completely illegal.
Witnessing decades of injustice can leave one feeling powerless and hopeless. However, on an individual level, we can each take actions to aid Palestinians. We can donate to notable non-profit organizations on the ground in Palestine to help with medical care, food, water, and housing. We can lobby our elected representatives to advocate a more balanced approach by the United States in that region. We can also raise awareness by engaging in friendly conversations with our fellow Utahns. Most importantly, we must make Duʿāʾ(supplication) to Allah (Glorified And Exalted Is He) to bring peace and prosperity to our Palestinian sisters and brothers.
It is heartbreaking for all followers of Abrahamic faiths to witness bloodshed in a land where the greatest of Prophets have once walked and preached peace and unity. Unfortunately, this conflict has increased Antisemitism and Islamophobia here at home. We must unequivocally stand against Antisemitism and Islamophobia and commit to a future of peaceful coexistence, justice, and equality for all.
- Al-Huda Islamic Center
- Emerald Hills Institute
- Madina Islamic Center of Utah
- Muslim Community Center
- Islamic Center of Kuwait in Utah
- Islamic Society of Bosniaks
- Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake
- Islamic Society of Layton
- Utah Muslim Civic League
- Utah Valley Islamic Center
1B’Tselem. “A Regime of Jewish Supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: This Is Apartheid.” Www.Btselem.Org, B’Tselem, 12 Jan. 2021, www.btselem.org/sites/default/files/publications/202101_this_is_apartheid_eng.pdf.
2Goldstein, Eric. “Say Israel Is Committing Apartheid? It’s Not a Decision We Reached Lightly.” Www.Hrw.Org, The Forward, 27 Apr. 2021, www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/27/say-israel-committing-apartheid-its-not-decision-we-reached-lightly.
3Reuters. “EU Says Israeli Settlement on Palestinian Territory Is Illegal.” Www.Reuters.Com, Reuters, 18 Nov. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-usa-eu/eu-says-israeli-settlement-on-palestinian-territory-is-illegal-idUSKBN1XS2IL.
4United Nations. “Resolution 446.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 22 Mar. 1979, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/BA123CDED3EA84A5852560E50077C2DC.
5United Nations. “Resolution 452.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 20 July 1979, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/db942872b9eae454852560f6005a76fb/0b7116abb4b7e3e9852560e5007688a0.
6United Nations. “Resolution 465.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 1 Mar. 1980, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/5AA254A1C8F8B1CB852560E50075D7D5.
7United Nations. “Resolution 471.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 5 May. 1980, https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/5ba47a5c6cef541b802563e000493b8c/aa73b02d9b0d8fdc852560e50074cc33?OpenDocument.
8United Nations. “Resolution 476.” Www.Un.Org, United Nations, 30 June 1980, https://unispal.un.org/DPA/DPR/unispal.nsf/0/6DE6DA8A650B4C3B852560DF00663826.
9United Nations Security Council. “Resolution 2334.” Www.Undocs.Org, United Nations, 22 Dec 2016, https://undocs.org/S/RES/2334(2016).
