Prayer for the annihilated Palestinians, Protest against the on-going massacre & Viewing of Documentary "Occupation 101

What:         Prayer for the annihilated Palestinians, Protest against the on-going massacre & Viewing of the Award Winning Documentary "Occupation 101"

When:        Sunday January 4, 2009

Time:          Prayer & Protest at 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm infront of Hawai' State Capitol

                  Film Viewing: 5:00pm at the Mosque

Assalamu 'Alaikum dear brothers, sisters and all people of conscience.

The Israeli civilian carnage, the disproportionate violence and the indiscriminate and collective punishment imposed on all the population of Gaza continues with defiance and disregard to human life and pleads from the international communities.

We sympathize with these innocent civilians and demand that our government stop endorsing this aggression and to take immediate steps to end the immoral and illegal Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip that includes hospitals, medical centers, Mosques (over 10 so far), universities and homes. Medical officials say at least 434 people have died in Gaza including many women and children and over 2,240 have been injured since Israel's aerial bombardment began last week. This number (will be higher by the time you read this email) is an acceptable price for an immoral government and for Tzipi Livni or Ehud Barak to win extra seats in the Israeli Knesset.

Most of the 1.5 million people in the densely populated enclave have no means of sheltering from the raids, and humanitarian groups say supplies of food and fuel are running dangerously low.

Hospitals have reported shortages of even the most basic medicines and say they have no more capacity to deal with the growing numbers of casualties.

Karen Abu Zayed, the commissioner for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, said that in eight years of working in Gaza the need for aid had "never been so acute".

"I am appalled and saddened when I see the suffering around me," she said, adding UNRWA has made an emergency appeal for $34m to help the Gaza population.

Hasan Khalaf, Gaza's assistant deputy health minister, described the ongoing assault on Gaza as "an Israeli massacre".

The European Union (EU), Russia, the UN Secretary-General, the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and other international bodies are all urging Israel to end its attacks but to no avail.

Middle East Envoy Tony Blair deplored the "tragic loss of life," while French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned Israel's "disproportionate use of force"

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the Israeli attacks were "inflicting an unacceptable toll on Palestinian civilians and will only worsen the humanitarian crisis as well as complicate the search for a peaceful solution.

Unfortunately, our nation's one-sided response, led by our irrelevant president, to this tragic episode will only serve to fuel anti-American sentiments in the Muslim world and beyond.

To pay respect to all the fallen innocent civilians and to express our strong condemnation the Israeli aggression and the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid, the Muslim Association of Hawaii invites all Muslims, Jewish and Christian organizations, and all people of conscience, to a prayer & protest that will take place in front of Hawaii State Capital on Sunday January 4^th, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. After the Prayer & Protest, we will inshaAllah return to the Mosque and view the award winning documentary. Synopsis of the movie is below.

We continue to urge our president-elect Obama, to listen to people like us and to adopt a more even-handed Middle East policy that is in our nation's, not Israel's interest alone. "Hope & Change We Believe In" must deal with the core issue of peace with justice,  support a just and comprehensive resolution to the conflict that takes into account the rights and responsibilities of all parties and give the Palestinians some hope of freedom from the Israeli occupation and supremacy..

We are urging the Muslim communities and all people of conscience across the United States to play a positive role in promoting peace by contacting their elected representatives and urge them to condemn and put an end to the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 3:00pm, at the State Capital grounds.

Fi Amanillah,

Hakim

Synopsis of the Movie "Occupation 101"

A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy