US: Ramadan Boycott Urged Against Officials Silent on Gaza Ceasefire
The New York-based Majlis Ash-Shura, the Islamic Leadership Council of New York, has termed as “profoundly disappointing” the lack of action from political figures and has urged local mosques to deny entry to any politician who has not advocated for a ceasefire.
“It is in this context that we assert a definitive stance: our mosques must be bastions of worship and communal comfort, untouched by the tumult of worldly affairs, particularly during these critical times of spiritual observance,” the statement read, according to the Middle East Eye.
“The presence of politicians or political discourse in these spaces, we believe, would profoundly disturb our congregants, already distressed by global injustices, and infringe upon the sanctity of our worship and the dignity of our faith,” it added.
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This stance is echoed by the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) in New Jersey, which has issued guidelines affirming the right of mosques to welcome only those public officials who support a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan.
Dina Sayedahmed, CAIR-New Jersey's communication manager, highlighted the historical role of mosques as more than places of worship, often serving as birthplaces for social movements.
“Our audience as Muslims must be earned, not given,” she said.
“It is antithetical for public officials to visit mosques seeking the Muslim community’s support, and then turn a blind eye to Israel’s ongoing and well-documented genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, many of whom are Muslim, during one of the holiest times of the Islamic year,” she added.
The health ministry in Gaza reports a devastating toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression, with over 31,000 Palestinians dead, more than 72,000 injured, and thousands missing. The majority of the casualties are women and children.
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Additionally, Israeli forces have been reported to obstruct Muslim worshippers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex during Ramadan.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has led to many Palestinians being unable to find a meal to break their fasts.
“We urge elected officials and leaders, particularly those who claim to hold God-fearing values, to introspect on their responsibilities and to act decisively to halt the loss of innocent lives to gain the trust of the Muslim community,” Majlis Ash-Shura said.
“True piety and leadership extend beyond mere rhetoric to encompass bold, principled actions that reflect the tenets of justice and humanity.”
Source: Agencies
