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Palestinian Solidarity Rally in Houston

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by Ilyas Choudry

Jerusalem – Capital of Palestine Coalition held a Peaceful but Vociferous Rally on Saturday Dec 9 between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Corner of the most congested intersection of the Greater Houston Region (Westheimer and Post Oak).

The rally was to protest Trump’s declaration recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel, and intention to relocate the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Against the backdrop of near-unanimous global opposition, Trump’s decision not only stands in contravention of International Law but also works the connection that Palestinians of all faith share with Jerusalem.

Rally participants stood as they all declared that Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine!

Students for Justice in Palestine at UH

Trump and Netanyaho Stand Isolated on Jerusalem

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by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

The Muslim world leaders, the European Union and the United Nations have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and called it dangerous for world stability and peace.

As aptly described by diplomatic circles Trump has legitimized occupation, endorsed religious bigotry and celebrated injustice.

France rejected the “unilateral” decision. Britain said it would hurt peace efforts.

Israel applauded the endorsement of its continuous occupation and called Jerusalem the eternal capital of Jews. 

Trump’s decision is in defiance of world opinion. Jerusalem is holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. Israel annexed it in 1967, a move not recognized internationally.

Palestinians call Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Palestine. Hamas described Trump move a “flagrant aggression against the Palestinian people.” It urged Arabs and Muslims to “undermine U.S. interests in the region” and to shun Israel.

Even the strongest US ally in the region, Saudi Arabia that recently bought US weapons worth billions of dollars expressed deep sorrow at Trump’s decision and warned of “dangerous consequences of moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem”.

Egypt ridiculed Trump’s decision and said it did not change Jerusalem’s disputed legal status. Jordan described Trump’s action was legally null.

Lebanon described the decision as dangerous, that threatened the credibility of the United States as a broker of Middle East peace.

Qatar called it a “death sentence for all who seek peace” and “a dangerous escalation”.

Turkey described the move as “irresponsible” and called upon the U.S. Administration to reconsider this faulty decision, which may result in highly negative outcomes and to avoid un-calculated steps that will harm the multicultural identity and historical status of Jerusalem.

Iran condemned Trump’s move and called it a violation of U.N. resolutions on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, state media reported. Indonesia and Malaysia denounced Trump’s action and described it a threat to global security and stability.

The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was no alternative to a two-state solution and Jerusalem was a final-status matter only to be settled through direct talks.

“I have consistently spoken out against a unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” Guterres said. “I will do everything in my power to support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to meaningful negotiations.”

Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel Capital, Plans to Move Embassy

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by Aysha Qamar

President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced plans to relocate the United States embassy there. This move is expected to further tensions in the region and unsettle any prospects for peace.

Every U.S. President since 1995, including Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, has declined to move the embassy, citing national security interests.

According to National Security Council officials, Trump has signed a waiver officially delaying the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for six months.

The status of Jerusalem has been one of the most sensitive and conflicting aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian war. In the past, U.S. foreign policy has avoided declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel in the absence of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. This is because both Palestinians and Israelis claim Jerusalem as their capital. Containing sacred sites to three major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, Jerusalem is of importance to both.

While in theory the embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be simple, as there is already a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, the challenge exists in the diplomatic crises that would arise.

The United Nations partition plan in 1947 visualized Jerusalem as a separate “international city,” but the war that followed Israel’s declaration of independence, one year later, left the city divided, (Source: CNN).

East Jerusalem, which includes the Old City, was annexed by Israel after the Six Day War of 1967. A United Nations resolution was thus passed condemning Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem and declaring it a violation of International Law- this caused countries that had embassies in Jerusalem to move.

According to the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords, the final status of Jerusalem is meant to be discussed in the latter stages of peace talks.

The issue of moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is considered by Palestinians as a provocation and deconstruction of the peace talks. These talks have been on standby since 2014.

Palestinian officials warned the US against the move stating that it would be a step towards destabilizing the whole region and destroying the peace process

“Such a step would destabilize the whole region, destroy the peace process, disqualify the US from its role in the region and generate a new wave of extremism,” Member of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee and head of Information and Culture Department Hanan Ashrawi said.

“I hope that nobody would take such a step. This would be an extremely irresponsible and dangerous.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeinah said that the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is “equal dangerous to the future of the peace process and would take the region into the square of instability”.

According to Rudeinha, any just solution of the Palestinian Israeli conflict should guarantee that East Jerusalem is the capital of the independent state of Palestine. Rudeinha also stated that “failing to reach a solution to the Palestinian cause will prolong tensions, chaos and violence”.

On the other side, the Israeli government has praised Trump’s plan to move the embassy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move is an “important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn’t include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.”

Arab leaders are condemning the recognition by Trump including Jordan’s King Abdullah.

“There is no alternative to a two-state solution, and Jerusalem is key to any peace agreement. It is imperative to work fast to reach a final status solution and a peace agreement. Ignoring Palestinian Muslim and Christian rights in the holy city could fuel terrorism,” King Abdullah said.

The announcement has sparked numerous protests. Israel has deployed hundreds of extra troops in the West Bank as Palestinians went on strike and took to the streets this week.

At least 31 Palestinians have been wounded in clashes in the Gaza Strip and across the occupied West Bank, during protests against Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

 Cancer Care for the Children of Gaza

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by Susan Schwartz

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), the world’s largest charity dealing with the medical needs of Middle East children, has long been the subject of articles in The Muslim Observer.

The PCRF provides many services which include- but are not limited to: medical missions; summer camps for the disabled; hearing aids; customized wheel chairs; a Gaza mental health project and medical services in the fields of pediatric cardiology and pediatric oncology.

Two years ago, we told readers of the then latest project of PCRF – a pediatric oncology unit in Gaza.

Steve Sosebee, the CEO of the PCRF has told The Muslim Observer that the Center is nearly finished. What is holding up the final completion is, not surprisingly, the Israelis and their refusal to grant permission for medical equipment permits so that this essential equipment may enter Gaza from the Israeli side. This of course is impacting the progress of the project.

The Department will be named the Dr. Musa and Suhaila Nasir Pediatric Oncology Department after the two founders, one the former Chairman of the PCRF.

The couple worked tirelessly during the 25 years since the PCRF was founded for the well being of children in the Middle East, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In the early days of the organization, they housed ill or injured children and without them the PCRF would not be what it is today.

In April of 2013, a Pediatric Oncology Center opened in Beit Jala Hospital in the West Bank. Named The Huda Al Masry Pediatric Cancer Department after the late wife of PCRF CEO, Steve Sosebee, the Department provides comprehensive cancer care for afflicted children. Huda Al Masri was a social worker, the heart of the PCRF, and a fierce warrior for Palestine, particularly the children. Al Masri herself died of cancer, and it was her final wish that the PCRF would direct its work toward the care of children with this dread disease.

Most of the money raised for this project have been from private donors. Those wishing to learn more about the vast expanse of the work of the PCRF or to donate, please access their web site at: www.pcrf.net

Sitti Soap: Spreading Hope Through Soap

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By Trisha Sales

Established in 1968 as a result of the Arab-Israeli war, Jerash Camp is locally known as Gaza camp in Jordan. According to the United Nations Refugee Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), there are more than 29,000 Palestinian refugees registered with many trying to live out of poverty.

View of Jerash Camp. Photo Credit: Bashar Alaeddin

Various services are available that provide refugees skill development and job opportunities. One of the projects that emerged through community development and fundraising was the Sitti Soap company. It grew out of the hopes of the NGO called The Hopes for Women of Education.

Sitti Soap aims to provide financial independence and skill development opportunities for refugee women.

Jaqueline Sofia and Noora Sharrab, the founders of Sitti Soap, collaborated to help women enhance their skills in soap making. They came across a group of women, who had the ability to make soap out of olive oil.

To the right: Noora Sharrab, Co-Founder of Sitti Soap

“When we created Sitti Soap, it was with the belief that no matter how small we started out, we were part of a community where passion for unity and change would keep our social enterprise driving forward,” Sofia wrote in the Sitti Soap blog.

The word sitti in Arabic means grandmother. The brand uses traditional methods in the process of making soap. Olives are pressed after the harvest. The oil is produced into tins that block out the light which preserves the pure quality of the olive oil. It is also made cold pressed rather than heated.

“Traditionally our grandmothers would make olive oil soap from leftover oil that they gathered from the farms… it’s known to be something very sacred,” Sharrab said.

Sitti Soap partnered with an NGO called Work Shelter in New Delhi, India that makes their tote bags. In return, the organization provides women educational opportunities to Indian women.

“It’s so critical for us. Even those we source to get other products made, they have to fall in line with the same ethical stance,” Sharrab said.

Sharrab believes that everything they do in the company should have a holistic feel- that any work put towards Sitti Soap should aim to have an impact.

Not only do they get their source of income but also a percentage of it is directed towards improving the services in the camp and also provides scholarships that help women achieve higher education.

Photo Credit: Jacqueline Sofia

“At one point we opened a mini daycare so women would be able to do workshop training. The main inspiration is to provide these women financial independence. We want these women to feel that they have the skills and ability to give something back,” Sharrab said.

palestine foundation

The Palestine Foundation Provides Funds to Help Palestinians Help Themselves

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by Susan Shwartz

Throughout the civilized world, people of good will, people who place a high value on justice and decency, hold the beleaguered people of Palestine close to their hearts. The resilience and steadfastness of the Palestine people further enhances their stature.

There are many organizations that work to bring the plight of the Palestinians to public attention and many organizations that are directly involved in their struggle. Now a new group has appeared on the scene and holds the promise of great success.

Late this past year a new organization was founded by veteran activists in the noble Palestinian cause. The Palestine Foundation was formed by Palestinian-Americans with many humanitarian organizations in attendance at the home of Lily and Karim Karam in Southern California. The Karams were also among the founders of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), the world’s largest children’s charity for medical relief.

The Palestine Foundation believes that the people of Palestine will “better benefit from tools than handouts.” They strive to help Palestinians to help themselves.

Foundation grants are available upon presentation and approval to work in such fields as teaching children Palestinian history; training in education; public health; the establishment of public medical clinics, and habitat and water projects for refugees. The list is not complete.

The Foundation seeks to promote the three values of sustainability, stewardship, and joy.

To cite but one example, the Palestine Foundation has supported efforts by the Lajee Center which teaches Palestinians how to test their water supply to assure proper sanitation.

The Palestine Foundation has announced its first event/fundraiser. The concert took place on April 2nd of this year in Placentia, California and featured Dalal abu Amneh in Ya Sitti.

Activists in the Palestine Foundation have graciously consented to be interviewed by The Muslim Observer. Herewith is their story.

You refer to your organization as an umbrella organization. I assume that means there are other groups involved. Can you name these other groups?

There are no set organizations that are under our theoretical umbrella. What we mostly mean by being an umbrella organization is that we can bring in a number of organizations that work on different kinds of long-term sustainable projects in Palestine. Being a foundation gives us a kind of flexibility that other linearly-focused groups would not have.

When approximately did this group begin?

The idea of creating the Palestine Foundation has been floating in our heads for about a year now. Palestine has never been a nation of beggars. For thousands of years, it was always the crossroads of exchange in goods, culture, and ideas. We want to reinvigorate that spirit in Palestine, because under the clouds of the occupation is a population full of brilliance and savvy. Ideas in sustainability have to be a litle (sic) creative because of the terrible political circumstances, but if anyone can do it, it would be the Palestinians. So our group solidified its ideas around that concept and then we applied nonprofit status.

Have organizations and/or individuals already applied for grants?

The Palestine Foundation is currently accepting inquiries. We had a major concert benefit event on April 2nd with Palestinian star singer Dalal Abu Aminah and Comedian Amer Zahr that kickstarted our funding campaign. Organizations have been submitting inquiries and we encourage orgs to continue doing so.

In implementing the programs, do you expect any harassment from the Israelis?

As much as the nonprofit world would wish to be able to separate politics from humanitarian work, we can’t. However, most of the Palestine Foundation’s board members and officers have vast prior experience working in organizations that help Palestinians so we are prepared to deal with what comes our way as efficiently as possible. Because, in the end, we want to make sure that the people are able to implement their sustainable solutions on the ground and maintain them worry-free.

When you approve a grant, does the person/persons who lead the grant carry out the particulars with your supervision? How much autonomy does the grant recipient have?

Organizations have full autonomy in implementing their sustainable solutions. The Palestine Foundation’s supervision will not be hands-on but rather arms-length only to ensure that the funds are being utilized to achieve the objective.

Could you give us specifics about programs already underway?

Palestine Foundation’s four focus areas for sustainability are education, health, habitat and the arts. We are currently concentrating on habitat and creating sustainable solutions for quite possibly the most pressing issue in Palestine: water. There are number of organizations that are trying to tackle the water issue in a number of refugee camps. Currently one of our applicants is working in the Aida refugee camp to retain rainwater and create rooftop gardens in which residents can grow crops. They have proven successful so far and want to extend the project to a dozen more refugee camps.

Could you run our readers through a hypothetical project from acceptance (with funding) to completion? For example, if one receives a grant for a project does he or she work with a contact in Palestine; does he work through people like yourself who have had experience dealing with the political situation in Palestine; does he travel to Palestine himself to oversee the implementation?

Hypothetically, upon full acceptance, funding will depend on the number of phases in a project. It is usually best practice to fund a project in phases rather than give the full amount outright in order to ensure that the funds are being utilized properly throughout the project and minimizes the risk of waste. Every dollar raised is precious and should be treated that way.

We have also realized how important autonomy is when an organization works on a project. More importantly, we do not want to be another foreign organization that tells locals how they should do things when they would know much better than anyone else. The reason why we chose to fund a project by an organization is because our in-depth analysis makes us confident it can accomplish its goals.

There will be a committee within the Foundation that will be tasked with ensuring the phases are on track to be completed and provide resources and support where need be. Phase completions will be confirmed by the organization and then reviewed through the means of technological communication or personal visits by the committee. A report will generated and given to the executive committee. The executive committee will then send an approval request for additional funds to the board for the following phase along with a disclosure from the organization that it is not receiving funds from another organization for the same phase about to be funded.

gigi hadid

The Controversy of having Palestinian-American Model Gigi Hadid on the Cover of Vogue Arabia

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by Rabia Toor

Supermodel Gigi Hadid is possibly one of the most in-demand models at the moment. So it’s no surprise that she was chosen to grace the cover of Vogue Arabia at its launch issue, set to be released March 5th 2017.

The cover was shot by Inez and Vinoodh, an accomplished photography duo, and was complimented with the jeweled veil that Hadid wore created by Brandon Maxwell.

Although Hadid may seem like the perfect choice, simply due to her fame, for a launch issue of the new Vogue edition, her background as a half-Palestinian had also played a role in her landing the cover. Hadid’s father, Mohamed Hadid is a Jordanian-American business mogul, with Palestinian origins. So, although the executives at Vogue went in with good intentions, it seemed to have misfired.

The intention, as made clear by their headline “reorienting perceptions,” was noble. The magazine wanted Vogue Arabia to ‘capture the creativity of a distinctive, evolving and often misrepresented part of the world.’

Fair enough.


However, the controversy was created, not due to their intentions, but due to the delivery of their message. Hadid, being half Palestinian, has never commented on the turmoil that the people of Palestine are currently going through. On top of that, culturally appropriating the ‘hijab’ when it seems convenient to her, upset many as it was interpreted as a non-Muslim model using the cultural practice as a way of appealing to the Arab consumer.

It’s an accomplishment, and in all honestly, a victory that Vogue would want to have a representation of the hijab in today’s politically charged world. And it’s very commendable. Many Arab women do not wear the hijab nor do many Muslim women, so Vogue Arabia did not need to have an exclusive hijabi model to grace the cover. However, that being said, using a model that has never worn the religious garb, simply as a means to appeal to the masses does seem out of touch with the discriminatory reality that Arabs and Muslims, in general, are facing. Vouge Arabia could have asked an Arab model or influencer or an actual hijabi star to be on the cover and yet they asked Hadid, a non-Muslim western supermodel to use the hijab as a fashion accessory.

Gigi for Vogue Arabia #gigihadid

A post shared by H A D I D . V O G U E (@hadid.vogue) on


Through social media, many have expressed their opinions about the cover ‘appropriating’ the hijab and Hadid ‘using her background to justify wearing it.’ One twitter user stated, “Why is Gigi playing dress up when there are so many beautiful ACTUAL hijabis? I am tired.” Another one said “1) ur not mMuslimstop using the hijab for “art.” 2) stop using the title “half palestinian” for ur benefit when u dont even fight for ur people.”

Although Hadid is facing backlash, many have come to her support saying, “People, she is one of us she has every right to embrace our culture…. she is just as much of a Arab as the other Arab models… at least she ain’t ashamed of it,” wrote one Instagram user. “I love that you’ve always been proud of your heritage. Beautiful cover girl!” wrote a twitter fan.

It seems as though Vogue Arabia could have and should have been more sensitive towards the culture they are trying to appeal to with their inaugural edition. Women are fighting for their rights to wear the hijab in places like France and are constantly being questioned about oppression when they choose to practice their faith. When there have been politically charged attacks on hijabi women, practicing their face, it may have been better suited if Hadid did not use the garb as a fashion statement.

With the hijab being a constant topic of debate, with the politics and turmoil in the Middle East, and with Islam being a religion that is under scrutiny, hopefully Vogue Arabia will understand and be more sensitive towards their Arab and Muslim consumers.

Palestine awareness week at UCLA

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By Susan Schwartz

Los Angeles – Students for Justice in Palestine of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) presented a four day educational program that illustrated the plight of Palestinians under Israeli occupation of the West Bank, under siege in Gaza, and living with apartheid in Israel. This was part of a national event titled Palestine Awareness Week. The presentations over the period consisted of speakers well versed in the subject of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, native art and music, and, the true cornerstone of the event, a simulated checkpoint set up on the main campus thoroughfare.

Speakers included Max Blumenthal and Miko Peled in Jewish Voices for Palestine. Blumenthal is a writer and speaker. His latest book is: “Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel”. Peled is the son of an Israeli general and was a part of the Israeli Defense Forces until the 1982 conflict in Lebanon propelled him into becoming a peace activist.

The simulated checkpoint was partially surrounded by what appeared to be sections of a wall with writings on both sides cataloging the injustices inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian people. The various scripts on the wall reminded the viewer of the three major Israeli aggressions: in 2008, 2012, and 2014. Fatalities and serious injuries that disproportionately affected children were also a focal point of the model. Further, the replica of the Israeli checkpoint reflected the present reality that Palestinians have lost access to farmland, medical care, education, and community cohesion.
Currently in the region, Jewish busses lead to Jewish-only settlements and they are permitted the use of 80 percent of the water, pointing to a hierarchical and privileged use of resources.

Furthermore, unique automobile license plates are assigned to Israeli and Palestinian is additional evidence of the division. Israeli restrictions make it difficult, if not impossible, for Palestinian Muslims and Christians to attend their places of worship with this identification marker.

Sections from the model of the checkpoint also presented UC school’s partnerships with various companies that benefit from a relationship with Israel. Amongst them are Hewlett-Packard, General Electric, and Caterpillar. Students were encouraged to speak out against these associations with UCLA and work for divestment.

The United States has given more money to Israel than to any other nation and uses its veto power to protect Israel from United Nations resolutions aimed at Israeli crimes. Further, the privileged Israeli settlements are violating the protocols of the fourth Geneva Convention.

Students for Justice in Palestine was founded in 1993 on the campus of University of California, Berkeley. There are now over 80 chapters, in some cases under different names, in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. SJP works in solidarity with the Palestinian people and is dedicated to the Palestinian right of self determination.

To contact SJP at UCLA campus, please use the following e mail address: sjpucla1@gmail.com

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