 From the Palestinian children's art exhibit, "A Child's View from Gaza". Appeared at Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton, NB. My name is Hasan Tamimi.
I became blind in Israeli custody when I was 17. Due to medical negligence during the detention. While I had a medical condition affecting my kidneys and liver at the time, I was arrested for throwing stones. Even though my mother and family informed the police about my medical condition; I was denied critical medicines for two months. When I was detained, my doctor told my mother, If I am not given medicines, I may go into a coma, Or something terrible may happen to me. I had a medical condition affecting my kidneys and liver. This required regular medications; and a strict diet. The Israeli soldiers denied medications, Kept saying they are checking them; for two months. And was finally taken to the hospital by guards, When other prisoners protested. But by then, I had gone into a coma I remained in a coma for three days, I eventually lost my eyesight due to nerve damage. When I woke up, I couldn't see anything. My mother was sitting beside me. I asked my mother, What is going on? She told me, you won't be able to see anymore. Doctors told us this is a permanent loss. I said to her, ‘trust in God’. Israeli soldiers mistreated me in the hospital too. I was handcuffed to the bed. When I wanted to use the bathroom, The soldiers wouldn't let me, They would bring a box for me to urinate, When I would ask for water, They would give me a small cup of water, Which wasn't enough to quench my thirst, I am home now, Trying to adjust to life without eyesight, The blindness has affected my life, I can't study anymore, I can't see my family and friends. I pray to God to restore my eyesight. This poetic depiction is based on the real-life story of 18-year-old Palestinian youth detainee Hassan Tamimi, who was subjected to medical negligence during his detention by Israeli forces. Hassan was suffering from liver and kidney issues since early childhood. He required a particular diet and treatment; however, Israel did not allow Hassan his medication and he eventually lost his eyesight. Written by a Canadian activist for prisoners of conscience. In July and August 2022, Justice For All Canada co-organized back-to-back demonstrations protesting the inhumane persecution of Uighurs and Kashmiris. Although these groups represent different struggles and lived experiences, both minorities share in common grievances related to their security, equality, livelihood and wellbeing. August 31st, 2022 By Saleha Faruque Uighurs and Kashmiris represent Indigenous peoples belonging to native lands in Asia; East Turkestan is home to 12 million Uighurs, whereas 12.5 million Kashmiris live in Jammu and Kashmir. Both regions exist under intense occupation and administration by majoritarian governments. Kashmiris live in Jammu and Kashmir, located in the extreme northwest of India. The Indian state currently occupies two-thirds of this territory. According to Human Rights Watch, India’s ruling nationalist government is responsible for revoking constitutional autonomy granted to Kashmir. East Turkestan has also been colonized, controlled and occupied by China’s government since 1949. Occupying powers in East Turkestan and Kashmir have contributed to severe human rights violations against their minority populations. This includes arbitrary mass arrest, suppression of thought and censorship, illegal settler activities, sexual and gender-based violence, including other crimes punishable under international human rights laws. Kashmir Protest in Mississauga, Ontario Celebration Square is a public space located in the heart of Ontario’s Mississauga city. The venue holds years’ worth of concerts, festivals and community events—an ideal location to amplify voices for Kashmiri rights. The Kashmiri protest was co-organized between Justice For All Canada and Friends of Kashmir Canada. Our respective groups invited students, community leaders, professionals and Kashmiris to gather, share thoughts, and broadcast a strong message in support of the Kashmiri people. The event also drew Kashmiri Canadians from all backgrounds and ages. Because of the successful rally. some of them could finally witness people coming together for the sake of this neglected cause. When it comes to the issue of Kashmiri rights, support is hard to come by. Unfortunately, the pervasive nature of India’s right-wing BJP government makes it difficult for impacted Kashmiris to voice their opinions. Luckily, non-profit organizations like Just Peace Advocates frequently use their platform and expertise to conduct strong advocacy demanding an end to the hidden government-imposed oppression plaguing Kashmir’s population. Uighur Protest in Toronto
It was a warm Sunday afternoon when hundreds of activists, student groups, volunteers, families and Uighur people gathered outside the Chinese consulate in Toronto. Heartfelt testimonies, statements and peaceful chants were delivered by a crowd unified against the ongoing genocide of Uighurs. Anti-genocide signs were held high, and by the day’s end, activists formed emotional connections with one another. Consulate workers entered and exited the building, avoiding eye contact and maintaining stoic expressions throughout. The successful protest was part of a global solidarity movement launched by Stand 4 Uyghurs, an advocacy project of UK-based website Islam21C. In addition to the protest, the #Stand4Uyghurs initiative also included a global khutba campaign in major cities across the UK, Australia, the US and Canada. Justice For All Canada participated by urging hundreds of nationwide Imams and Mosques to dedicate their Friday khutba (lecture) to discussing crimes against humanity inflicting Uighur Muslims under China’s communist government. Canada’s Government is Responsible Justice For All Canada is a human rights and advocacy organization committed to preventing and halting anti-minority Islamophobia, hate crimes, ongoing genocide or genocide incitement in regions like Kashmir, East Turkestan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Burma and India. As 2022 presents the first non-pandemic summer, activists look forward to continue assembling under shared goals of peace and equality for the world’s most persecuted minorities.  The saga of a Palestinian child who was shot, arrested without warrant, and denied medical treatment until he was forced to falsely confess throwing two stones at the soldiers. He was tortured, sleep deprived, bound by a plastic cable, blindfolded, and intimidated by a gun during interrogation.
I am a Palestinian child. I was arrested at the end of a school day. I was arrested without a warrant. I was blindfolded, sleep deprived, and my hands were tied. I was denied legal aid. I was denied medical aid. I was tortured during interrogation. When I was only 15. I was arrested because I was just in the wrong place, At the wrong time. There were clashes at the school gate. I tried to walk through the clashes quickly. But I was shot in my right leg by an Israeli soldier. While I collapsed to the ground bleeding, the soldiers came and started beating me. Paramedics tried to reach me to take me to the hospital in an ambulance, but the soldiers wouldn't let them. I was taken to the interrogation centre instead of the hospital. Soldiers wrapped a bandage around my leg. Then they blindfolded me, tied my hand with a plastic cable, And took me to a second interrogation centre. I was confused. I asked to talk to my parents, and to have legal advice as I knew my rights. My interrogators refused. My interrogators keep shouting at me. They placed a gun on the table, In front of me, to intimidate me. They said bad, bad words. I don't want to think about those words. When I refused to confess, they stopped interrogation, they took me to a detention cell, They made me take off all my clothes, in the freezing cold of December. And chained me to a metal chair by my wrist and ankles. The next day, they interrogated me again. My wounds were hurting. I kept telling them I needed medical treatment. They asked me to show them my injury. I showed them my bullet wounds, They pressed the wound, And said they wouldn't stop until I confess. It was the worst pain I ever felt. I realized my suffering would end until I confess, I finally decided to confess, I said that I threw two stones. It was then that I got medical treatment. Two days after I was shot. It still hurts to this day, two years later. After this forced confession, I was sentenced to seven months in prison. An ugly, ugly place. I don't like to think about it. They would set off an alarm at midnight, at 3 am and 6 am, so we could never sleep for long. If we do not wake up to these alarms, We will be beaten. I was beaten with wooden sticks a few times. I still have back pain now because of a bad beating. I was not allowed education during detention. All I want is peace and the future. I was released after seven months, but the physical and psychological scars remain. No child should be arrested without warrant, No child should be subjected to torture, No child should be denied his or her fundamental rights. No child should be denied crucial medical treatment, No child should be forced to confess, No child should be denied legal aid during interrogation. No child should be arrested at the end of a school day. I was arrested at the end of a school day. When I was 15. Story is based on the real life events of a Palestinain child. The ex-detainee child was interviewed by Save the Children, UK. The real life story was published in their report titled Defenceless: The Impact of Detention on Palestinian Children. The child’s name was changed to protect him and his family from further aggression. Written by a Canadian activist.  From the exhibition On Borrowed Time in Gaza: Art in Confinement at Monica Reyes Gallery in Vancouver: a drawing by Gaza-based artist Mohammed Alhaj. I was a 17-year-old minor when Israeli forces entered my house, blindfolded, physically assaulted, and arrested me.
It began like most night arrests. Israeli soldiers entered my house at 2 AM. They bounded, blindfolded, and physically assaulted me. They searched my house and arrested me without any warrant. I was not informed of the reason for my arrest. My name is Laith. I was a 17-year-old minor when this happened. I live in Ramallah on the West Bank of the land called Palestine. Over the next 11 hours, I was transferred to multiple locations and interrogated about throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. Throwing stones is a security offence under Israeli military law. I was presented to multiple courts but they never charged me for any crime. They released me after 46 weeks of detention. BUT I missed my final year of high school. I was never told why I was being arrested. I have never presented a warrant. I also want to tell you that I am not the only minor who was illegally imprisoned or more correctly kidnapped by the Israeli military. 10,000 Palestinian minors have been arrested and held in the Israeli military detention system since 2000. In the month of April only, Israeli forces arrested 1,228 Palestinians in April, including 156 minors and 11 women, and Palestinian prisoners’ support organizations. We are tortured and humiliated in Israeli prisons. We are bullied to get confessions. Denied water when we are thirsty. Denied enough food. Denied medicines. Denied education. Denied free and fair trial. We are denied our basic rights. I want to tell you that we are separated from my parents, tortured, harassed, denied education, and denied the right to a fair trial. Every year, Israel prosecutes between 500 and 700 Palestinian children in military courts. And the world is silent. And western countries like Canada which support Israel financially and morally have a critical role in our persecution. This story has been reconstructed in first-person narrative from mainstream Palestinian media and human rights reports. Written by Tazeen Hasan.  By Shaikh Tabinda
April 13th, 2022 India is known as the "land of festivals" because of its many celebrations, and the country's culture is reflected in this. Because of the richness and diversity of our country's history and culture, many of our major festivals are an expression of this. Sadly, this is not the case in reality. As a result of internal strife, India has become a more hostile place to live in recent years. India is currently experiencing a double festival season, with both festivals occurring simultaneously. In contrast to Muslims, who fast and pray in mosques during the holy month of Ramadan, Hindus celebrate Navratri and Ram Navami, which both occur during this month of religious festivals. But when Ram Navami processions take place across India, it appears that Hindu nationalist groups are less interested in celebrating their festival than in stirring up bigotry. Hindutva* groups made a concerted effort to incite racial animosity during Ram Navami processions in several Indian states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. Attacks on Muslims have been reported in a number of locations throughout India. Mosques are being burned down. Property is being harmed. Stones are being hurled in the direction of the target. There was an uncanny similarity in the pattern of commemorations in all states: A large procession was organized and instructed to travel through Muslim-dominated areas. The routes were deliberately designed to pass through Muslim locales. Provocative, anti-Muslim songs were blasted using loudspeakers. Hindu men were seen causing a commotion by dancing with swords and guns to the music in front of the mosques. Slogans were chanted: JO RAM KA NAAM NA LE USKO BHARAT SE BHAGANA HAI. Those who does not take the name of Ram will be thrown out of the country. Song lyrics included: Pakistan mein bhejo ya qatleaam kar dalo, aasteen ke saanpon ko na dudh pilakar palo. (Send them to Pakistan or kill them, don't feed the sleeve snakes with milk) Jis din jaag utha Hindutva, toh anjam bolega, topi wala bhi sar jhuka ke, jai shree Ram bolega. (The day Hindutva awakes, the end result will speak. The man in the cap will also say Jai Shree Ram with a bowed head.) Jiss din khoon khola mera, dikha denge aukat teri. Fir toh hum nahi bolenge, bas bolegi Talwar meri.” I'll show you your position the day my blood boils. Then neither of us will speak; only my sword will. Violence In Gujrat Adding to anti-Muslim feelings on the occasion of Ram Navami, communal clashes were reported in two Gujarati cities, Khambhat and Himmatnagar, in which one person was killed, and another was injured. On social media, a video showed Hindutva gangs in Chappi village with saffron flags held high in their hands, dancing and playing loud music in front of Aqsa Mosque. Minara Masjid Bardoli, located in Surat, was another location where a similar event occurred. In front of the mosque, the same Hindutva goons were seen dancing and singing. Even the Dargah in Himmat Nagar was set on fire, and Sanghi goons were seen with swords in their hands, defiling mosques and destroying Muslim holy sites. Songs lyrics included: Kisi bhi ulla mulla ka zor yaha nahi chalta hai (The force of any ulla mullah does not work here) Teri masjid aur mazaro se Vande Matram gunjega. (Vande Mataram will resonate from your Masjid and Mazar) Violence in Madhya Pradesh The situation in Madhya Pradesh was much worse. The procession group threw stones and danced in front of mosques. Muslim vehicles and houses were set ablaze and burned. On Monday, bulldozers and JCB bulldozers demolished more than 50 houses and shops in the curfew-hit Khargone and Sendhwa districts. An incident of Hindutva hooligans also set fire to the home of an elderly Muslim widow. She, along with her four daughters, live entirely by themselves. She earns a living by weaving flowers into garlands and selling them to the public. After her home was looted, including the jewelry she had saved for her daughter's wedding, and her home set on fire, she was forced to flee. Another incident that needs attention occurred in Anand Nagar. The Hindutva mob armed with swords and sticks attacked Mehrun Bee and her daughter Zubeda. Injuries to Bee were so severe that she required a minor surgical procedure. The thugs also broke into their homes and stole everything they owned. And the swordsman who struck her was her neighbor. The night before the attack, locals believed their area was safe. As a result, they went about their business as usual, paying little attention to the violence that was taking place nearby. However, who knew that their own neighbours would turn into their adversaries. Many houses and business of Muslims were burnt down, and residents were dragged outside and beaten up in Khargone and Sendhwa. Violence In Jharkhand Stone-pelting and arson attacks on Ram Navami processions were also reported in Lohardaga district in Jharkhand. Three people were critically injured in the conflict. The Print reported that one severely injured man died on Monday and 12 sustained injuries. In the Latehar district, the deceased was a local. Violence in West Bengal On Saturday, communal violence also erupted in the Shibpur area of Howrah, West Bengal. According to reports, ten people were injured, with one in critical condition, and 17 people were arrested as a result of the incident. The police used a lathi-charge to subdue the crowd. The clashes were also reported from Bankura, West Bengal. Police told people participating in the procession that they couldn't march in front of mosques. However, they refused and removed police barricades to get through. Some people also threw rocks at the police station. Violence in Karnataka Following a rally organized by Hindu groups in Gulbarga, Raichur, Kolar, and Dharwad districts, several incidents of vandalizing mosques and Muslim-owned buildings were documented on Sunday. Violence in Uttarakhand In Dada Jalapur village, located in the Bhagwanpur area of Roorkee, the same pattern was repeated. As a result of the unrest in Roorkee where communal violence erupted on April 16th, right-wing organization Kali Sena called for more violence. The group claimed that if Muslims are not defeated, they would "protest aggressively." On April 29th, Hindutva groups began marching toward the Bhagwanpur toll plaza in Dada Jabalpur village, singing the Hanuman Chalisa. Rajeev Joshi, a participant in the genocide calls, threatened the district administration: "If these Muslims are not prosecuted, if the administration does not bury them, then Kali Sena will come here from all over India and protest aggressively." According to Mohd Abid, from Dada Jabalpur village: “Children have been hungry for four days. The damage they've done to us is immense. They set fire to our rickshaw and car, robbed us by breaking into our home, we were attempting to save our lives, they also beat my brother. There was no mistake on our part, and we have no idea why they are doing this to us. Many villagers fled their homes in order to save their lives. Hindutva vigilantes eventually set fire to Abid's car and rickshaw. He relied on both to make a living. Even his valuable belongings were taken. There were numerous other heartbreaking incidents that occurred throughout the cities, leaving people with an ocean of emotions, broken hearts, fear, a searing cry, irreparable damage inflicted on their lives, and scars that will last forever. Because of the hatred surrounding India's courts and movie theatres, fear is taking hold. My sadness is becoming more apprehensive each day. In this day and age, dark forces appear to be more powerful than ever. Every festival of the majority community, every election, and every anti-Muslim film poses a threat to the lives of Muslims. Muslims are experiencing a deterioration in their living conditions in India. All aspects of Muslim religion and identity, from the Masjid to the Athaan (call to prayer), to the namaaz (prayer) to the hijab, have been or are currently targeted. Our clothing, as well as what we consume, is also a question in this country. A dreadful genocide campaign is underway in this country. The unrelenting onslaught of attacks against Muslims is a component of that operation. *The term Hindutva refers to the political ideology based on nationalism. It is different from, and should not be confused with, the religion of Hinduism. About the author Shaikh Tabinda is an MBA student in Mumbai. An active participant and face of the CAA-NRC movement in Mumbai during the pan India NRC movement, Shaikh has been actively raising their voice against Islamophobia and persecution of Muslims in India. Shaikh also works on the ground for marginalized communities with various NGOs for the past few years. On February 19th, 2022, Edmonton-based community leaders and volunteers gathered to discuss the peace, security, and human rights of global minorities. By Tazeen Hasan
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity."—The Holy Quran (2:104) Local human rights organizers in Edmonton extended an invitation for community members to learn about the work of Justice for All Canada. Organizations in attendance included:
During the meet-up, Executive Director Taha Ghayyur gave us a brief history of this organization and challenged us to mobilize for the good of our community. Canadian Muslims have established and evolved initiatives that give them a platform to share information and mobilize for human rights in Canada and around the world. A few examples include Sound Vision, DawaNet, Adam’s World (a Muslim version of Sesame Street), and Canadian Muslim News, a media project allowing Muslims to take charge of narratives involving the Muslim world and beyond. About Justice For All Canada Justice for All Canada focuses on conducting advocacy and empowerment for global minorities (primarily Muslims) around the world. The organization began in the United States 30 years prior as a response to the growing troubles and eventual catastrophic genocide in Bosnia. Justice For All (US head office) soon became recognized by the UN as a valuable advisor to them. This represented the first time Muslims in the west came together for human rights. This organization played a key role in getting the international community to recognize rape as a war crime during the Bosnian war. Justice for All started its chapter office in Canada in 2012. Fascism in India In March 2002, Justice for All sounded the alarm on organized anti-Muslim pogroms occurring in Gujarat, India, under the local leadership of Narendra Modi. Fourteen years later, Modi assumed power and has nationalized the agenda that seeks to eliminate religious minorities such as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. Leaders in current positions of power have gone on record stating that their goal is to kill “2 million Muslims with the hope that the remaining 198 million will flee India”. Justice for All Canada has had success with respect to putting human rights issues on the front burner of Parliament. Canada was the first country to declare the treatment of the Rohingya in Burma as genocide, dedicating over $300 million in aid to supporting the refugee situation. Canada stood with The Gambia when it took Burmese leadership to the international court of justice for their mistreatment of not only of Rohingya Muslims, but the Karen and Chin peoples, and Christian minority groups. Justice For All Canada continues their advocacy work on 6 campaigns:
The Quranic passage Chapter 2, Verse 104 that supports this work reads: "Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity." We are invited to change for good through our hands, our tongue and our heart. The lowest level is our heart – where we “feel bad” but do no more than that. Change starts with ourselves. All Prophets reflect a prophetic mission: To honour the clear signs in the book (Quran) and keep the balance (e.g. in our ecosystem and our relationships) so that people will uphold justice. Angela Davis said, “In a racist society like ours, it is not enough to be silent and non-racist – we need to be Anti-Racist!” We need to pray for the oppressed, for there is no barrier between the person who is oppressed and God. We are all ambassadors of peace and justice. This is echoed in Christian Gospel Epistles as well, where God empowers us to be ambassadors of reconciliation. During our brunch meeting, here are the four things that Taha invited us to do:
The closing prayer invited God to accept our work, help us to be united and help us to be strong for the sake of God. Dr. Nahla shared with us one way she checks in with herself around the work of caring about each other in our world:
In Islam, it is said that saving a soul is like saving the world. In Islam, the reference to soul means the whole person. May it be so! |
