In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful The Mercy-Giving

Islamic Association For Palestine (IAP)
P. O. Box 74353
Dallas, Texas 75374
Tel: (+97-2) 669-9595
Fax: (+97-2) 669-9597
E-mail: info@iap.org Homepage: www.iap.org/50years

“Glory to (Allah) who did take his servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque (al-Aqsa mosque) whose precincts We did Bless – in order that We might show him some of Our signs: for He is the One Who hearth And seeth all things.” (Qur’an, Surah 17, Verse 1)

The year 1998, marks the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Palestine; the displacement of its indigenous population; and the destruction of it’s cities and villages. In 1917, the British government issued the infamous Balfour declaration which viewed “with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish People… ” At the time of the Balfour declaration, the Arabs of Palestine owned 97.5% of the land, while Jews owned only 2.5% of the land.

In the 1948 war, “the zionists” occupied 80.48% of the total land of Palestine, expelled 800,000 civilians from their homes and lands, committed 120 massacres, and destroyed more than 475 villages. According to a 1997 United Nations study, there are approximately 3,093,174 Palestinian refugees registered.

In 1998, we, the Muslims, the Arabs and the Palestinians, did not forget Palestine. We did not forget Yaffa, Haifa, and Bisan. We did not sell our lands, nor did leave them voluntarily, and nor did we permit anyone to take our homes and fields. Fifty years later, we, the children of refugees, are intent on coming back to our homes, villages and fields. If it was not possible in the past fifty years, then insha’Allah, it will be in the next fifty years.

During the month of May, the Islamic Association For Palestine is launching a long series of events to commemorate the 50 years of occupation of Palestine and the Palestinian dispossession and resistance.

List of events planned in all cities:
(for more details, please contact IAP)

New Jersey, NJ:
* 5/17 Rally, Downtown NYC.
* 5/24 One Day Conference: “Palestine: 50 Years of Occupation”

Los Angeles, CA:
* 5/16 One Day Conference: “United for Al Quds”

New York, NY:
* 5/17 Rally, Downtown NYC.
* 5/24 Conference: “Palestine: 50 Years of Occupation”

Detroit, MI:
* 5/15 Rally at 2:00 p.m., by IAP joined by 8 local organizations.
* 5/15 Conference at 7:00 p.m. by IAP joined by 15 local organizations in English.
* 5/17 Conference at 12:30 p.m. to be held at St. Mary’s church, by Detroit-area Arab-American Coalition in commemorating Palestine * 5/17 Lecture at 8:00 p.m. in the Cultural Association of Franklin.
* 5/29 Conference by IAP (in Arabic).
* 5/30 Rally and cultural program @ Cobo Hall, by Detroit-area Arab-American Coalition in Commemorating Palestine.

Chicago, IL:
* 5/15 Rally at the Downtown
* 5/17 Palestine Day

Dallas, TX:
* 5/16 One Day Conference – “Palestine: 50 Years of Occupation”

San Francisco, CA:
* 5/16 One Day Conference – “United for Al-Quds”

Toledo, OH:
* 5/16 One Day Conference – “United for Al-Quds”

Columbus, OH:
* 5/7 The Palestinian Heritage Exhibition of Traditional Arts & Crafts
* 5/12 The Documentary Film: In the Memory
* 5/14,15 Remembering the Martyrs: Candle Light Vigil
* 5/16 Conference: Peace and Justice for Palestine 50 Years of Occupation

Washington, D.C.:
* 5/15 Rally
* 6/16 One Day Conference: “United for Al-Quds”

For more details about the above activities as well as other activities in different cities, please conatct IAP. If you like, and we do encourage you, to do a similar activity in your area, campus, mosque, church etc., and you need help, please feel free to contact IAP. A request form for materials and other resources that can be used in different activities and programs will follow, In Sha’a Allah.

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