5 Ways to Support Palestine
For too long, the Palestinian people have endured a violent apartheid state. For too long, the Palestinian people have endured long standing hardships, and as Muslims, it is our collective responsibility to extend a helping hand. Already, we have lost over 20,000 of our brothers and sisters. Limbs of the smallest children are being torn apart, yet Western mainstream media refuses to acknowledge the suffering and grief of the Palestinians. Everyday, children are becoming orphans. Everyday, homes are being crushed. Everyday, Palestinians starve. Everyday, another hospital slowly dies.
Where is humanity?
With the death count rising every single day, it is our duty as Muslims to stand up for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Here are five meaningful ways you can support Palestinians in need:
Humanitarian Aid and Support:
One of the most immediate ways to make a difference is by contributing to humanitarian aid organizations that operate in the region. These organizations provide essential resources such as food, clean water, medical assistance, and shelter to those who have been affected by conflicts and economic instability. How can we raise money for our people in Palestine? Take the talents and blessings Allah has gifted you and put them to use. Start a bake-sale at your school, sell your art or other works online, and donate the money to these organizations. By donating to reputable organizations, individuals can play a direct role in improving the lives of Palestinians facing adversity. I have provided some organizations that are doing everything they can for our Palestinian brothers and sisters below:
May Allah reward these people and organizations for their extreme bravery and sacrifices.
Educational Initiatives:
Investing in education is a powerful means of empowering communities. As a Muslim myself, I have found myself ashamed of the fact that I don’t know the full suffering and history of Palestine and the brothers and sisters there. It is our duty to read about the history of Palestine. Whole families, who are older than the state of Israel itself, have been completely wiped out. Nowhere in the Balfour Declaration were Palestinian rights mentioned. When we educate ourselves, we can directly point out the hypocrisy and ignorance of others who blindly support the Zionist movement. If you’re wondering where to start, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, written by Columbia University Professor Rashid Khalidi is incredibly informational and enlightening.
Advocacy and Awareness:
Raising awareness about the challenges faced by Palestinians is a crucial step in garnering global support. Utilize social media platforms, participate in awareness campaigns, and engage in conversations about the Palestinian struggle. By becoming informed advocates, individuals can influence public opinion and pressure policymakers to take actions that promote peace, justice, and stability in the region. Post on your social media and post regularly. Never give up on the people of Palestine. Never forget their suffering. Never forget them. They are counting on us.
Support Local Businesses:
Economic stability is essential for the well-being of any community. Support Palestinian businesses and artisans by purchasing their products and promoting fair trade practices. This not only helps create economic opportunities but also fosters a sense of pride and resilience within the Palestinian entrepreneurial spirit. By supporting Palestinian businesses we help empower the Palestinian communities, culture, and identity. Need help finding some?
Dua:
The power of dua should never be underestimated. As Muslims, dua is the strongest weapon we have. No matter how long this hardship takes, we must stay with the people of Palestine. We must remember them on a daily basis. We must not look away from the horrifying videos that are their reality. We must raise our hands in prayer everyday for their relief. For their martyrs. For their orphans. For their suffering. Indeed, Allah is the Greatest of Planners. It is normal to lose hope and optimism, but we cannot allow it to overtake us. As mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 214, Allah’s aid will come, but we must stay patient.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ ٢١٤
“Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near.”
Yaqeen Institute has five beautiful duas that we can recite for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Here are my favorite two from Yaqueen Institute's 5 Duas for Gaza:
اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِهِم وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِهِم وَاحْفَظْهُم مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِم وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِم وَعَنْ أَيمَانِهِم وَعَنْ شَمَائلِهِم وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِم
Allahumma ustur ‘awraatihim wa-aamin raw’aatihim wahfadhhum min bayni aydeehim wa min khalfihim wa ‘an aymaanihim wa ‘an shamaa’ilihim wa min fawqihim
O Allah, conceal their faults, calm their fears, and protect them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and from above them.
اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقهُم صِدْقَ التَوَكُّلِ عَلَيكَ وحُسْنُ الظَنِّ بِك
Allahumma urzuqhum sidq at-tawakkuli ‘alayka wa husn ad-dhanni bik
O Allah grant them true reliance upon You, and good thoughts about You.
The people of Palestine are desperate and the Muslim community cannot stand idly and watch. Only collectively do all of our actions matter, but to do it collectively we must do it individually. Already, Starbucks has lost twelve billion dollars because of the boycott. Our actions matter. We owe the Palestinians our undying loyalty. May Allah free Palestine and protect our brothers and sisters who are facing a genocide.
Sarah Soleman