In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful



NATIONAL MUSLIM LEADERSHIP REJECTS UPJ "SEGREGATION" APPROACH
TO SEPTEMBER 24 MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Thousands of Muslims Mobilizing for September 24 March
on Washington
Under the MAS Freedom and National Coalition Banner
www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp

(Washington, DC) - Over one hundred prominent Muslim
leaders and National organizations have indicated that
there is only one rally and march in Washington, DC,
on September 24. And it will not be the "Segregation"
March proposed by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ).
Responding to what has been categorized as a
patronizing elitist and separation agenda that has
long been a divisive issue in the anti-war and peace
movement, prominent leaders in the Muslim and Arab
community made it clear that they will not allow
groups like the United for Peace and Justice set the
agenda for American Muslim involvement in the peace
movement. Thus the idea that UFPJ will attempt to hold
a separate March and Rally on September 24 in
Washington, DC, and not join in principle the
September 24 National Coalition for the March on
Washington is viewed by many as a "segregationist
counter-rally". Why? The answer is simple. It is all
about having a principle position on Palestine. When
it is all said and done UFPJ has paid mere lip service
to the Palestine issue and struggle as being part and
parcel of the American Peace Movement. They have
ignored the insistence of authentic voices in the
Muslim and Arab community that ending the occupation
of Palestine and other regions of the world should not
be decoupled from ending the occupation in Iraq.

Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, MAS Freedom Foundation
stated, "The days when a few elitists with a few
surrogate persons of color can stymie the hope and
aspirations of millions of American Muslims concerning
a principle agenda and response to what takes place in
the Muslim world is over. Let's get real here, UFPJ
called for a segregated March in DC after the
A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition made the initial call. They
listed all kinds of excuses why they can't join a
unity effort. The reality is that a strong peace
agenda put forth by the Muslim Community is not a
reality that UFPJ is willing to accept and that is
most unfortunate for the Peace and Justice Movement. I
was there at a unity event when UFPJ remove the
Palestinian flag from the stage. That speaks volumes
for the leadership of UFPJ. However, I don't believe
that the UFPJ leadership aversion to the Palestinian
struggle is representative of the position of UFPJ's
grassroots.

"As I've stated earlier we hold no ill will toward our
brothers and sisters in the UFPJ, however, I just wish
the leadership would drop the fig leaf, be up front
and say that because of money and the fact of
upsetting some left of center Democrats and other who
have resisted the raising of the issue of the rights
of the Palestinian People for true self determination
they can not join the masses on September 24th.
Instead, they have chosen to sponsor a segregated
counter march and rally. It is sad commentary on this
facet of our movement but I truly believe that on
September 24 those who want an inclusive movement will
prevail on the streets of Washington, DC."

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The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of
the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national
grassroots religious, social, and educational
organization. MAS is America's largest grassroots
Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide.
Learn more at www.masnet.org. Support our work at MAS
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