Re: Re: ProgressiveMuslims digest, Vol 1 #353 - 8 msgs

salaam 

I cant talk about the other struggles because I don't know 
of solidarity groups in the US (you are in the US, right?). 
If you were in South Africa I might have been able to. 
However, as far as Palestine goes, depending on where 
you are, you might want to get involved with Al-Awda or 
the Free Palestine Association, both of which do a good 
piece of work. You might also want to work with ISM and 
spend some time in Palestine trying to protect 
palestinian people or assisting with things like medical 
issues, harvesting olives, etc.

As an American, you also have a responsibility that us 
non-Americans don't - since your govt effectively 
sponsors israeli oppression - in poitical lobbying in your 
country. I'm not someone that can talk about that; I don't 
know how it works out there.

There is a lot than can be done. Whether its for the 
palestinians, kurds, burmese, chechens, dalits, adivasis, 
kashmiris, chiapas, immigrants in the US, etc.

na'eem

On 28 Jan 2004 at 9:54, [email protected] wrote:

> 
> Granted that many Palestinians live in misery and injustice, in Gaza
> and elsewhere, and also that unfortunately many many other similar
> situations exist in the world, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MORE EFFECTIVELY
> ORGANIZE, PARTNER AND PERSUADE in order to effect positive change?
> 
> Too many of us settle for grievance, for venting, for speeches, and
> for victimhood. Or people act our violently in ways that just continue
> the cycle of violence and mistrust. Anyway I am sure everyone here is
> aware of the many deficiencies in organized response. Thinking more
> concretely, what specific steps would help us 1) convince American
> public and so called media and 2) access the resources of NGOs and
> other necessary partners, in the Muslim world and without...?
> 
> To find a way to go beyond "cute" PC thought and action....
> 
> To identify what can be changed, first, in the world. And within the
> Umma to continue to try to have your voice heard in nonprogressive
> Muslim spaces, a sweet voice some times works best, articles in
> journals, a commitment to dialogue and a respect for diversity.
> Progressive approaches may differ. We all will need to take care,
> insha'Allah.