100 Imams Call for April 9 Rally for Peace and Against Terrorism in NYC

At the initiative of the Muslim Peace Coalition USA, 100 Imams from New York area are calling Muslims in New York to come out for an April 9th rally to oppose wars, condemn terrorism, and fight Islamophobia. Has your imam/president endorsed this statement?  If not have them send their name, masjid, address to us with their consent. 

500 other organizations from labor movement, peace movement and civil rights groups have also endorsed the April 9th call for the rally. 

Text of 100 Imam Statement

We, 100 Imams from the Muslim community in New York area, stand together to thank our neighbors who have defended the Muslim community against Islamophobia. Our neighbors have stood in opposition to Congressman Peter King’s hearings and against the efforts of the extremists to criminalize the practice of Islam in America. 

We call upon all Muslims to come out with their families on Saturday, April 9, 2011 noon at Union Square in NYC to stand in solidarity with our neighbors for justice at home and abroad; for peace and jobs; against wars and terrorism, and to bring our troops home.

We support the rights of unions to bargain and the rights of undocumented workers to due process of law. We demand reform of our justice system to eliminate secret evidence and the consistent criminalization of inner-city communities.

We support the rights of all people to practice their beliefs in peace at home and abroad, as well as equal opportunity for all. We ask Congress to conduct hearings against the rise of hate and hate groups in the United States.

Together we urge that the untold billions of dollars now spent for wars instead be used for Americans’ needs at home.

For the list of Imams calling for April 9th rally click here

Click here for the logistic of the rally

Rally at Union Square (14th and Broadway)

March leaves Union Square going south down densely packed shopping street of Broadway at about 2:30 to Foley Square.

March is under 2 miles and takes 30 min to under 1 hour, depending on pace.

On the march, drums, cymbals, horns, whistles and our voices chanting are allowed.

In NYC amplified sound is permitted only at the rallies.

The second rally or End Rally is at the Fountain at Foley Square until 5 PM.

UPDATE 4/8/2011

The Muslim Peace Coalition believes that war, terrorism, and Islamophobia form a dangerous nexus that is dragging our nation backward. It is not only our economy and constitution that are under attack because of this set, but our very spirit and morale, thus diminishing our standing as the world’s leading nation. 

Here are four reasons why 100 Imams from New York are calling all Muslims to join 500 other organizations of our neighbors to stand together and march together tomorrow at Noon. Hate is rising in the country. It’s about time that forces of peace and justice speak up:

Standing up for our Democracy:

Every person under U.S. jurisdiction or control is entitled to Bill of Rights protections. However, PATRIOT ACT is undermining our constitution and our justice system.

700,000 Muslims have been interviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Latinos and other immigrants are routinely subject to unconstitutional searches

People are being asked to defend themselves while they are told their evidence is secret. How can one defend himself or herself while his evidence is secret.       

The country cannot be made safer by sacrificing some rights for all or part of its population.

Saving America from War-Economy Disaster:

The cost to NY State this year for war will be $15 billion according to the Government Accountability Project. 

This is while NY State has around a $10 Billion deficit causing layoff of state workers, wage freezes and cut to social services, education, etc.

We are competing with China for trade, investment and natural resources. China is welcomed everywhere despite its totalitarian system while we are hated despite our democracy.

London has replaced New York as the financial capitol of the world since we have become an unwelcoming nation
Fighting hate in America:

The number of armed militias has doubled (Time magazine)

President Obama is receiving 400% more death threats than President Bush did (Secret Service)

The number of active hate groups in the U.S. topped 1,000 for the first time. (Southern Poverty Law Center “2010 - The Year in Hate & Extremism”)

Standing up for our rights:

13 states are considering anti-Muslim laws

30,000+ Muslims have been detained; mosques across the country have been checked for nuclear bombs

28% of Muslim students in New York Public Schools report being stopped by police as a result of profiling in New York (Columbia)

7% Muslim students say they have been physically assaulted (Columbia)

Muslim Peace Coalition invites Muslims to work with millions of our neighbors who are fighting for peace and justice against wars and Islamophobia. 

Muslim Peace Coalition’s Positions

We actively oppose war

We repeatedly condemn terrorism

We fight Islamophobia

And to do that we stand with those who stand with us

In coalitions with peace movement, labor & interfaith

In peaceful struggle for civil & human rights for all

Muslim Peace Coalition is composed of Muslim Americans in 15 states who are committed to the principle of standing up and speaking for justice (Quran 4:135) not only because of their desire to uphold the principles of their faith, but also out of deep concern and commitment to our country.

Call your Masjid to make sure that your imam is giving khutba on this topic and asking all Muslims to attend this rally.

SEE ALSO:

Imams condemning terrorism and calling for an end to wars, Ethan Vesely-Flad http://forusa.org/blogs/ethan-vesely-flad/imams-condemning-terrorism-calling-end-wars/8642

Muslim Voices Promoting Islamic Non Violent Solutions - TAM article collection http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/promoting_islamic_non_violent_solutions/0015593

Walk like an Egyptian, Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/walk_like_an_egyptian/0018479