The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded Anne Arundel County for becoming the second Maryland county to support a ceasefire in the past week.
In a letter to President Biden sent earlier today and shared with CAIR, County Executive Stuart Pittman wrote in part:
“I want to publicly thank you for your administration’s efforts to achieve peace between Israel and its neighbors, but also to join Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, and a growing majority of Marylanders and Americans in calling for a return of all of the hostages and a ceasefire.
“The 1,200 Israelis killed in the Hamas attack on their country were men, women, and children who wanted peace. The 28,000 Palestinians killed since that day were also men, women, and children who wanted peace.
“The victims on both sides are connected, by blood and by love, directly or indirectly, to people who live in the county I lead. My conscience demands that I lend my voice to the Jews, Muslims, Christians and humanitarians who call for peace.
“[Failure] to demand a ceasefire is an endorsement of war. Benjamin Netanyahu knows that, and so does the world.”
“Hundreds of innocent Palestinians have been killed today that would still be alive had a ceasefire been put in place yesterday,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “As Israel continues its bombing and plans a ground invasion, over 1.5 million people crammed into the small border city of Rafah are in imminent danger of being killed – either from bombing, sniper fire or starvation. There aren’t words to describe the urgency of this crisis and need for immediate intervention. Every voice joining the chorus of Americans demanding an end to this senseless violence matters. County Executive Stuart Pittman’s call for a ceasefire to protect innocent lives is the humane and moral position to take.”
Anne Arundel County joins at least 66 members of congress, dozens of U.S. cities and counties and nearly 70 percent of Americans in calling for an end to the injustices, violence and bloodshed.
Last week, CAIR applauded Howard County on becoming the first county in the state to support a ceasefire.
Research from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a think tank with offices in Washington, D.C. and Dearborn, MI, shows that the overwhelming majority of Muslims, and Jewish democrats favor a ceasefire.
SEE: Majority of Muslim and Jewish Democrats Favor a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza
Recently, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ highest court, and a U.S. federal court both declared plausible genocide against civilians in Gaza by Israel.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes UN Court Ruling on Gaza Genocide Charge Against Israel
Advocacy in recent weeks has gained widespread attention across Maryland following the introduction of a statewide ceasefire resolution introduced by Delegate Gabriel Acevero and cosponsored by eight state lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly in mid-January.
Over 32,000 letters have been sent by Marylanders to state lawmakers through an action alert sponsored by CAIR urging the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee to pass HJ0002 Ceasefire Resolution out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.
SEE: Action Alert: Help PASS Ceasefire Resolution in Maryland General Assembly
The past 125 days of bombing and attacks have led to at least 30,000 Palestinians killed – both Muslims and Christians and led to the forced displacement of nearly 2 million people from their homes in Gaza.
CAIR recently welcomed U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) call for a ceasefire.
Since Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza began on Oct. 7, it has destroyed entire residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure. Human rights organizations and advocates worldwide have stated that Israel is depriving Gazans of food, water, electricity, and medicine while also indiscriminately dropping bombs on homes, hospitals, bakeries, schools, mosques, churches, and even refugee camps in Gaza, which amount to war crimes.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com