Bradford Campaigns Diary: The Muslim Response

The situation in Gaza is no hidden secret from the vast majority of the public. However, it is highly disheartening that our Muslim brothers and sisters are supporting the Zionist apartheid state by purchasing products which help Israel, consequently becoming a party to the crime committed by Israel.

Consequently, MPACUK Bradford decided to meet our brothers and sisters and provide them with information to boycott Zionist blood dates so they could refrain from committing sin in the blessed month of Ramadan.

MPACUK Bradford decided to hit Cannon Mills on Sunday 25th July, a highly Muslim populated shopping marke, handing out leaflets to people entering and exiting Cannon Mills. We were welcomed by a vast majority of Muslims from many praising the cause to boycott Zionisr blood dates, although it was generall the younger generation who were voicing their support.

However, one response which to date is ringing in my head even today as a nightmare was when I approached an elderly man, with a beard and a mosque hat, maybe I am stereotyping but I assumed this ‘uncle’ would be sympathetic to the cause from his attire, unfortunately I was wrong.
I approached this uncle, welcomed him with salaam and offered him the leaflet and he out rightly refused, I then commenced to talk to him and asked whether he knew what was happening in Palestin. He turned away frowned and walked on, at this point I could see the images of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine being tortured (surely, one cannot forget the images on our TV sets), adamant to get my point cross, I walked with him and said “our Muslim brothers and sisters are being killed’ to which he responded, “this is Allah’s raham (blessing), pray it continues!”
I was speechless - how is someone meant to respond to this?

Now looking back I ought to have said may Allah have that raham (blessing) on you too my dear brother. He again was a typical example of an individual just looking holier than thou, with no moral grounds and barely any Iman (shame on him.)

However, this was not the only disheartening response I received, many had no idea what was happening in Gaza – were they asleep or what?
This poses the question what is of importance to so many of the Muslims in this world – too busy reading The Cosmopolitan, shopping for matching bangles etc. When I attempted to educate them, they brushed me off and wanted to continue shopping while Gaza is an “open prison camp”. Wake up oh my fellow Muslims! Wake up!

However, the hypocrisy of so many of these practising Muslims is beyond a joke.

We were then approached by Cannon Mills security asking us to move, to which we refused as we were not in their premises, but rather on roads paid for by the tax payer (to which we have contributed), hence we had every right to distribute leaflets.

This response was not taken well by them and they attempted to intimidate us by shouting at us, at which time Muslims began to side with us, without even acknowledging what had actually happened, but I guess at that time their ego came into action. This is discrimination at its best, without understanding the situation giving their two-cents based on religion. Why are they then speechless when it comes to Gaza? Isn’t that an even bigger problem in comparison to some Muslims being stopped by some security guards for no reason? They should stand up for both.

On the other hand we had many positive responses too; many Muslims praised our cause, asked for additional leaflets to give to friends and family. We had some good dialogue with Muslims who were disgusted with Israel’s inhumane behaviour towards Gaza. It was heartening to see as it showed that more and more Muslims are waking up every single day to the atrocities committed by the Zionist machine and becoming part of the political resistance, Alhamdulillah.

After a few hours we decided to attend a charity event in support of Gaza and set up a stall there. I felt very overwhelmed, having the opportunity to meet people with similar sentiments as ours, many fellow activists had signed up to help. Others not from Bradford requested additional leaflets to distribute in their own areas.

This was our experience on Sunday; we had mixed responses, nevertheless, it was an indescribable experience. The pleasure I had in distributing the leaflets, talking to Muslims and convincing them to join the struggle to free our Ummah - I loved every second of it.

On 27th July, I had been made aware that a funfair was taking place in a local park, I decided to go leaflet and speak to people about Gaza. Ramadan is approaching; MPACUK Bradford aims to talk to every Muslim in the area.

The funfair was very vibrant, but it was a shame that the majority of the people were materialistic because when I began handing leaflets I was brushed past by people who wanted to only continue shopping. However, this was not going to stop me, this was a humanitarian issue; we had to raise awareness about the importance of boycotting Zionist blood dates.

I continued to approach others, and to my surprise, although elders had pushed me away, a thirteen year old young Muslimah approached me took few leaflets, on watching this many others starting approaching me to hear what I had to say. Subhaanallah, this is evident that one person can have such an influence - in this case it was a 13 year old Muslimah. May Allah bless her for her sincerity and help her to never lose that innocence and the care for the Ummah.

Upon watching more people expressing interest in the issue of boycott, those who had brushed passed me then immediately became attentive and took leaflets. This made me think was it really for the people of Gaza, or was it for their own satisfaction to look holy in front of others. All I can say is that Allah knows best.

I plead as a Muslim sister to all people, please wake up and boycott Zionist blood dates.

Do not support the apartheid regime of Israel, stand for justice, and feel the pain of the Ummah, but more importantly do something for the Ummah, because this Ummah of ours is one. Our defeat is one and our victory is one. We are one.

Our brothers and sisters are being murdered, please have a heart. Please, I beg for the sake of my brothers and sisters who can’t stand up for themselves, love each other for the sake of Allah and do something for them. Be a part of the political movement to free them.

P.S. Bradfordians, the MPACUK team will be out again on Sunday, Insha’Allah we’ll be speaking to you all very soon.