The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Jerusalem at the Al Aqsa Mosque and in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Hundreds of Palestinians have been injured as they gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque – one of Jerusalem’s holiest sites – to perform prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, but in doing so were prevented by Israeli police. In the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, the potential eviction of Palestinian families who have lived there for generations has caused widespread protest only to be met with more violence.
Freedom of religion is near universally considered a fundamental human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts and guarantees freedom of religion or belief. Jerusalem’s importance as the holiest of sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam should and must serve as a guiding light for religious tolerance and freedom. No one should be denied this basic human right.
The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut calls on people of conscience and our government to address this illegal eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. We also call for a halt to the violence against the innocent Palestinians attempting to perform their religious duty to pray at one of the holiest sites in Islam, in these the holiest days and nights of Ramadan. Outside intervention is sometimes necessary to promote peace, avoid further tensions, and to insist that freedom of worship be protected from fear, intimidation, and violence. We urge our government to be that moral voice that calls on Israel to honor these fundamental human rights.