MSA National News Releases
03/12/08 - MSA National Voices Concerns about Iraq, Torture, and Gaza to Congressional Offices On Friday, March 7, 2008 MSA National joined an interfaith coalition to meet with representatives from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) office, Senator Harry Reid's (D-NV) office and hundreds of rally participants to call for the end to the war in Iraq and stopping the United State's use of torture.
Asma Mirza, President of MSA National, joined members of the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace group to participate in a day-long event calling for peace and an end to war. As the representative of the only major Muslim organization participating in the Congressional meetings, Mirza stated that the overwhelming majority of Muslim Students believe it is important to bring a quick resolution to the Iraq war and the war has hurt the U.S.'s image abroad.
In a statement Mirza said, "It is important that our government sees this broad coalition of faith-based groups. We are Muslims, Christian, Jews, and Buddhists who are here today as one group because we want peace and believe that torture, no matter who uses it, is inhumane."
Standing in the rain, hundreds participated in a rally at Upper Senate Park across from the U.S. Capital building. Speakers from the Muslim community included Asma Mirza, Dr. Sayyid Syeed from ISNA, and a performance by Native Deen.
During her speech, Mirza cited statements by CARE and Amnesty International calling the Gaza crisis the worst humanitarian crisis since 1967. Mirza concluded her remarks by saving, "No matter what we believe about the conflict, we all agree that what we need now more than ever is peace...That children, no matter where they live or what they believe, deserve to have access to food and healthcare, and grow-up in a land free of violence."
After the gathering, participants walked to the House and Senate office buildings to press for action now to end the occupation. A delegation from the demonstration, including Mirza, met with aids from Senator Reid's office.
On the eve of the event Asma Rehman, MSA National Political Action Task Force (PATF) Chair, met with 30 religious leaders from around the country to discuss ways faith-based communities can work to end the war in Iraq. Dozens of communities across the nation also held services asking for peace.
Action requested:
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Thank Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid for meeting with the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace group.
Online Contact form for the Office of the Speaker Nancy Peolsi:
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Online Contact form for Senator Harry Reid:
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm
Sample E-mail
Dear ___:
Thank you for meeting with members of the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace group that included Asma Mirza, President of MSA National. We hope your office will continue to push for a quick resolution of the Iraq war and an end to U.S. sponsored torture.
In addition, we ask that the U.S. pressures for a quick end to the siege on Gaza, which is being called the worst humanitarian crisis since 1967 by CARE and Amnesty International.
I look forward to your response,
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Write to your Representative and Senators asking for an end to the occupation of Iraq, a ban on US sponsored torture, and an end to the siege on Gaza.
Find your Representative:
https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
Find your Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Wassalamu Alaikum
The MSA National Executive Committee
