 Muslim shops wouldn’t dream of selling Israeli dates, would they? Unfortunately a group of young Muslims discovered just the opposite on the streets of Manchester. The dates in your household which you may be using to break your fasts with, despite being from a Muslim-owned shop, may well be fuelling the Israeli economy!
This is an especially sad state of affairs when one ponders the history of the humble date in our beautiful Deen. Salman bin Amr reported: "I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, 'When one of you breaks his Saum (fasting), let him break it on dates; if he does not have any, let him break his fast with water for it is pure.'” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi – Hasan Sahih).
One could unwittingly be breaking the hearts of Palestinians with this cunning infiltration of the Muslim market notwithstanding the fact that more of these dates will be sold during this holy month of Ramadan. Yes it is a fact that water to irrigate and nurture these dates is diverted from poor Palestinians who are dying of thirst - such is the ruthlessness of the Israeli Apartheid regime. Analysing the above hadith reveals that the emphasis is on the item being used to break the fast being pure; be it dates or water. It follows that no conscientious Muslim would feel comfortable breaking his fast with a date that is boosting the Israeli economy. So how do the managers of Muslim shops feel about this?
A group of MPACers decided to spend one afternoon during Ramadan ascertaining the general consensus amongst these shop managers in Manchester and we gained a fascinating insight into the psyche of some Muslim businessmen! We initially looked around the shops to see where the dates being sold originated from and when we found some originating from Israel, proceeded to question the managers. A comprehensive breadth of opinions were encountered. Unfortunately our journey commenced with a rather perplexing one. Upon finding a large box of dates by Jordan River and King Solomon which had a sticker stating 'Product of Israel' we found our aspiring businessman staring blankly at us for a few minutes before confounding us with,
“Just because it has a sticker saying Product of Israel doesn’t mean it’s from Israel!”
You can see there were a few moments of frustration for us that day! There were so many illogical arguments used by some people. The same gentleman had initially started by passing the buck.
“All the shops get this brand from the suppliers – you’ll have to speak to them.”
“You’ll have to speak to my boss.”
“Well the public buys them so they don’t have a problem with it.”
"Customers love these dates and ask for them".
No sense of responsibility or duty to the Ummah.
Another encounter revealed a man who was indifferent to the situation. On enlightening him about what he was doing, he was interrupted by his work colleague who promptly told him, “Business comes first.” Allah help us…and them!
The most concerning meeting was in a store, where the man whom we were informed was the manager proceeded to lecture us on how he used to think like us when he was our age…
“but it is useless…you can’t do anything!”
“The Palestinians deserve it.”
“Arabs are so and so…”
Shocking! And they were happy to continue selling Israeli dates. How worrying that we give business to such nonchalant people with no sense of responsibility and a terrible streak of racism ingrained in them.
We are happy to mention that one shop Wazi Food Store, put up our flyer highlighting the situation immediately in their shop window. May Allah bless them. Another reassuring meeting took place in Appna Cash & Carry store where the manager realised their potential accountability and although he wouldn’t put up the flyers because he could upset some of his Jewish customers, he did state that it was the shop’s policy to not knowingly sell Israeli goods and he would look into the matter to ensure he didn't sell Israeli dates.
All-in-all we visited 8 shops and 6 of them supplied Israeli dates.
One of the few comforts we derived was that the majority of the dates being sold were from Muslim nations but to be honest this still isn’t good enough. It is so important to completely boycott the Israeli date market. It could potentially be so easy but needs some determination somewhere along the purchase chain – if not the sellers then the buyers – Inshallah.
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, “Verily this Ummah of yours is one Ummah.” (21:92). We urge you the customers to try your utmost to help the Palestinians by boycotting Israeli dates. If it is not clearly on the box then the ones to boycott are: King Solomon Dates, Carmel (Agrexco Ltd), Jordan River & Jordan Valley. We request that you the buyers show more responsibility and boycott these dates as unfortunately it seems that many Muslim businesses will need to sustain a financial loss before they even start to realise the whole picture.
If you would like to help out in this campaign or just want to share your views then please email us on info@mpacuk.org or ring our hotline on 0870 7605594.
You now have the knowledge and knowledge is nothing if it is not acted upon, Inshallah.
Readers have left 15 comments.
I can't understand why you are singling out dates for boycott. It's such a meaningless gesture. But, in an intolerant world it is reassuring to see so many Muslim businesses taking an independent line on it rather than obeying the diktats of a few.
it is interesing that you are making a direct link between the water resources Israel has stolen for the settlers and the direct lack of water the palestinians have.
I for one was informed by your alerts on this issue of Israeli blood dates and have boycotted one store that sells them and encouraged another not to.
It is a shame that during this month muslims can't refelct on why they are fasting and continue to open their fast on Israeli blood dates.
MPAC should of named and shamed the shops that continued to sell these dates.
Thank Allah MPAC are around to bring forth issues and campaigns like these. I can't see a sinlge organisation, ISOC, brother/sister circle even mention this. They are too busy 'practicing' Islam rather than actually taking action against oppressors in Islam!
It's sickening and unbelievable that our own Muslim stores are selling Israeli produce/dates. What chance do we have to take on multi national comapanies that fund Israel when our in our own backyards - Muslims are doing exactly that!!!
I confronted the slough shop - sabr bro's - and people all looked at me like an alien - God forbid anyone actually stand up for Palestine and speak out against those who are sell out!!!
I like Al madinah Brand dates...:
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@ george....
it may be meaningless to you George but the significance of the date during ramadhan makes this issue particularly important. Im sure if more mulsims were made aware of this, they wouldnt knowingly buy/sell these items..
Given the tone of this article I was prompted to look into exactly where in Israel that dates are grown, as I always believe that they thrive where there is little water and the area arid. This does not correspond to the West Bank that I remember.
Interestingly I came across a newsletter with an article from Agrexco that stated that sales were significantly higher this year as Muslims were buying specially fresh packed dates, and that demand exceeded supply. Agrexco stated that they were responding to demand.
It occurs to me that what Muslim date producers need is lots of help with marketing. Perhaps if Muslim marketing specialists in the West were to donate one weeks work in kind to these Muslim date producers, and help them work out their marketing strategies including packaging etc, then this upsetting issue would not occur.
It's just an idea....
Man, I've seen some lame excuses in my time, but that takes the proverbial.
A more compelling argument from the erstwhile shopkeeper might be that he can't meet demand without purchasing said dates. So, why not try some other fruit for Iftaar? Less demand for dates means that nobody would be "required" to obtain them from sources the consumers may find objectionable :-)
It's a free country and they can sell what they want.
Over here I don't buy any Islamic dates so haven't had any for years.
In Jordan a 'moderate' islamic state there is ONE womens refuge.
Shouldn't you be worrying about that instead of lousy dates??
Why the continuing obsession with Palestine? Yes, the situation is injust, but what about Kashmir where the people are subjected to horrifying torture? Why don't you advocate a boycott of Indian goods? Is it that Kashmir just isn't trendy enough?
Why the continuing obsession with Palestine? Yes, the situation is injust, but what about Kashmir where the people are subjected to horrifying torture? Why don't you advocate a boycott of Indian goods? Is it that Kashmir just isn't trendy enough? — hafizaIf you feel so passionately about it why don't you take a leaf from MPAC's book and do something about it? How about helping MPAC increase it's manpower so it can tackle more issues instead of whingeing and moaning? Alternatively you could become active and start an effective lobby and boycott group of your own. Its easy criticising those that are doing something than doing something yourself isn't it?
Israeli dates are grown on land stolen from the Palestinians. End of story.
Hafiza,
can I ask before you start asking mpac to change their focus, what are you doing about Kashmir, have you set up a boycott? or a lobby? or activated muslims to get involved to pressure india on holding a plebisite.
If no. then open your fast on Israel dates, may you ge the blessing you deserve.
I have worked in the Kashmir Valley for three years. I don't ask MPAC to change their focus, I just wonder why Palestine is so fashionable. Human Rights abuses are far worse in the Valley.
This is useful information for anyone living in Londonistan. I have been looking for Israeli dates since I have been boycotting all Muslim products and businesses. Can you direct me to anywhere in Edinburgh that sells Israeli dates or other products from Israel? Thanks for your help.
Alan,
yes Israel. Please go there.
I find it incredible that any Halal or Muslim owned shop would sell anything from Israel. Here in British Columbia, that certainly does not happen. If it did, I am sure that Muslims would boycot that store. All Muslims have a duty to try to buy goods made by Muslims first, just as we buy "halal" products. We must support ourselves, not our enemies.
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