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PAKISTAN CANADA ASSOCIATION - AL JAMIA MASJID VANCOUVER
8-13-2014
It is with a heavy heart that I write these words. In the past few days the Palestinian people have been under siege - a resumption of a seemingly endless cycle of violence, retribution and more violence. The catalyst or excuse for this latest assault on Palestine was the kidnapping and execution of 3 young Israeli settlers. A heinous act that was roundly condemned by both Palestinians and Israelis and indeed much of the world.
In the days following this incident, a young Palestinian boy was abducted, forced to drink petrol and set ablaze in an act of revenge, then the Government of Israel orchestrated an incursion and bombing of both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, an area known as the largest open air prison in the world with bombs, artillery and incendiary devices killing and maiming scores of innocent men, women and children.
The death toll in Gaza is rising sharply as Israel escalates their attacks. This clear act of collective punishment against a civilian population is an assault against the human psyche, a stain to the soul and a war crime as defined by the United Nations Hamas and Palestinian militant factions continue to fire rockets on Israeli cities and towns effectively derailing calls for peace and it too can be claimed to be a war crime justifying the grossly disproportionate offensive by Israel against the Palestinian people.
Violence, retribution, more violence...
There must be a way to a just and lasting peace.
We, here in the west have become numbed to the destruction waged on innocent civilian populations in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Burma, India, Pakistan and others by extremists, terrorists, state sponsored terror and the war between nations.
The lines between right and wrong become distorted by mindless and premeditated acts of violence and terror. In this 21st century we can see & hear live 24/7 coverage of war warped with propaganda showing the aggressor as victim, sanitizing brutality, making excuses for the inexcusable.
If you look deeper on web sites, video feeds and alternative news sources you will see and hear things you can't unsee or pretend not to hear. Things that will pain you to the core. But see and hear we must and in doing so we must take action. Make your voice heard. Post a message of support to those in need and give your aid, financially, morally and with integrity to help those who need it.
We call on both sides to cease fire and allow humanitarian aid, peace keepers and international observers in to Palestine and Israel to keep the peace and dissuade both sides from further aggression. We call upon the international and local interfaith communities, the Muslim and Jewish communities, peace activists and concerned citizens to mobilize, encourage useful dialogue and make our collective voices heard.
There are protests in solidarity with those victims of violence taking place across the world and locally. Take some time out of your schedule to attend and write your Member of Parliament and our Prime Minister and tell them where you stand. Canada must resume its place amongst nations as an honest broker in peace.
Most of all, pray for those innocent victims of hate and war on both sides of this conflict. For patience and grace to their families. Pray for justice. Stand and be counted. Hold fast to the rope of faith and extend your hand to those in need. It is our duty and right to speak and take action. May the Allmighty protect and bless us all.
Wasalaam (Peace to all)
Haroon Khan
President
Pakistan Canada Association
Trustee
Al Jamia Masjid Vancouver
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