Muslim civil rights and advocacy group calls on members of Congress to support new House resolution recognizing Palestinian human rights
(WASHINGTON D.C., 5/11/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today commended Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for successfully hosting a packed Capitol Hill event last night recognizing 75 years since the “Nakba,” the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland, despite Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s attempt to cancel the event.
During the event, which CAIR co-sponsored alongside with various Jewish, Palestinian Christian and other human rights groups, Rep. Tlaib announced that she had introduced a House Resolution Recognizing the Ongoing Nakba and Palestinian Refugees’ Rights.
The term “Nakba” is an Arabic word meaning “catastrophe,” and is used to describe the large-scale ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homes and homeland from 1947 to 1949.
SEE: Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib on Instagram: “This girl from Southwest Detroit could never have imagined that I would one day serve and fight for the community that raised me in our nation’s capital. When I am sworn in today for my third term in Congress, wearing a Palestinian thobe, I will be bringing my ancestors and community with me.“
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We commend Congresswoman Tlaib for recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, despite unprecedented attempts to silence her voice and censor history. Rep. Tlaib’s determination and perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to the resilience of Palestinian-Americans and the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and other human rights activists who co-sponsored the event.
“Members of Congress should condemn Speaker McCarthy’s reprehensible attempt to silence the voice of the first Palestinian-American U.S. representative and to erase Palestinian history. Such behavior is un-American and perpetuates the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people.
“We urge Congress to take concrete steps toward justice and equality for all, starting by co-sponsoring Rep. Tlaib’s resolution recognizing the ethnic cleansing that Palestinians continue to experience to this day.”
In addition to recognizing the ongoing Nakba and Palestinian refugees’ rights, the resolution urges the United States to maintain its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which offers critical social services to a significant portion of the 7 million Palestinian refugees. The resolution also calls for the implementation of the rights of Palestinian refugees, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194.
The event was sponsored by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Project 48, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, American Friends Service Committee, Virginia Coalition for Human Rights, Emgage Action, JVP Action, and co-sponsored by Justice Democrats, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Institute for Policy Studies, The Jerusalem Fund, Arab Center Washington DC, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), Hindus for Human Rights, and the Arab American Institute.
The resolution is cosponsored by Congressmembers Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Betty McCollum, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ilhan Omar.
The resolution is endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Institute for Middle East Understanding, Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP Action), Project48, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Virginia Coalition for Human Rights (VCHR), Emgage Action, American Muslims for Palestine, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Hindus for Human Rights, and The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development.
Earlier this week, CAIR called on community members to urge lawmakers to support Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s (D-MN) recently reintroduced “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]