An open letter from more than 30 Twin Cities imams, submitted to members of the Minneapolis City Council ahead of an expected vote on Thursday, February 8, 2024, on whether to overturn a veto by Mayor Jacob Frey of a Minneapolis resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The letter was also submitted to the St. Paul City Council to encourage members to support a similar ceasefire resolution.
To the honorable members of Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils,
We write to you as imams of Minneapolis and St. Paul, deeply compelled by the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The war on Gaza, marked by an appalling loss of life and widespread destruction, demands our immediate attention and action. We commend the Minneapolis City Council for its stance on adopting a ceasefire resolution and urgently call upon the St. Paul City Council to draft and adopt a similar resolution, demonstrating our cities’ unified commitment to advocating for peace and human rights on a global scale.
The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point that can only be described as genocidal. Over 27,600 Palestinians have been killed, with at least 67,000 injured.
Over 11,500 children have been killed.
The United Nations reports that approximately 1.9 million people, constituting more than 80% of Gaza’s population, are displaced, with nearly half confined to the strip’s southernmost region. This displacement has led to catastrophic living conditions, with the U.N. warning of a looming famine that threatens to exacerbate the suffering of nearly 500,000 people to catastrophic levels.
The destruction in Gaza is so vast and indiscriminate that at least half of the buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. This includes many historic churches and mosques, which are not only places of worship but also part of the cultural heritage of our faith and humanity. Their destruction and desecration signify a profound loss to our collective history and spiritual identity and underscore the indiscriminate nature of the military offensive.
Of particular concern is the manner of warfare being employed. A recent U.S. intelligence assessment reveals that nearly half of the 29,000+ air-to-ground munitions used by Israel since October 7 have been unguided, or “dumb bombs,” contributing to the indiscriminate killing of civilians and destruction of infrastructure. This tactic not only violates international laws of armed conflict but also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague has issued directives to Israel to prevent acts that could be classified as genocidal, underscoring the severity of the situation and the international community’s concern. Despite these directives, the escalation of violence and the significant toll on civilian life continue unabated.
Locally, our Muslim community has been subjected to an unprecedented level of attacks against mosques, recording the highest number in the country with nine incidents in 2022 and eight in 2023. This disturbing trend, coupled with the rise of antisemitism, profoundly impacts our Jewish community members. Such acts of hatred and violence against places of worship and communities underscore the urgent need for our collective action to foster peace, understanding, and solidarity across all faiths and backgrounds.
It is within this context that we, the undersigned, implore the Minneapolis City Council to firmly override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto and for the St. Paul City Council to adopt a similar ceasefire resolution. Our cities have the moral obligation and the opportunity to stand as beacons of justice and humanity, advocating for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
We cannot remain silent or inactive while witnessing a genocide or the targeting of religious communities at home and abroad. As leaders within our communities, we have a responsibility to advocate for those who are suffering and to use our voices to call for peace and the protection of human rights. By supporting a ceasefire resolution, our cities can contribute to a global effort to end the violence and support a path toward lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
We thank you for your leadership and courage during these challenging times. Your actions now will be a testament to our cities’ commitment to human dignity, justice, and peace.
Sincerely,
- Imam Aaf Urey
- Imam Abdallah Nur
- Imam Abdifatah Abdi
- Imam Abdifatah Sheikh Omar Ahmed
- Imam Abdinour Reshid
- Imam Abdirahman Omar
- Imam Abdirisak Duale
- Imam Abdimagid Omar
- Imam Abdurahim
- Imam Ahmed Aboubadria
- Imam Ahmed Mussa
- Imam Asad Zaman
- Imam Bashir Omar
- Imam Bashir Osman
- Imam Dr. Hamdy El Sawaf
- Imam Dr. Hassan Jaamici
- Imam Dr. Sheik Abdurahim Ahmed Doyo
- Imam Hassan Dhooye
- Imam Hassan Mohamud
- Imam Liban Mohammed
- Imam Mahmoud Abumayyaleh
- Imam Makram El-Amin
- Imam Mohamed Ambo
- Imam Mohamed Dahir
- Imam Mohammed Shikder
- Imam Mohamud Farah
- Imam Mohamud Wardere
- Imam Mowlid Ali
- Imam Omar Abdirahman
- Imam Salat Tuke
- Imam Sharif Mohamed
- Imam Walid Shadi
