In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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NATIONAL MUSLIM LEADERSHIP REJECTS UPJ "SEGREGATION" APPROACH TO SEPTEMBER 24 MARCH ON WASHINGTON

Thousands of Muslims Mobilizing for September 24 March on Washington Under the MAS Freedom and National Coalition Banner

ttp://www.masnet.org/takeaction.asp?id=2621

(Washington, DC) - Over one hundred prominent Muslimleaders and National organizations have indicated that there is only one rally and march in Washington, DC, on September 24. And it will not be the "Segregation" March proposed by United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ).

Responding to what has been categorized as a

patronizing elitist and separation agenda that has

long been a divisive issue in the anti-war and peace

movement, prominent leaders in the Muslim and Arab

community made it clear that they will not allow groups like the United for Peace and Justice set the

agenda for American Muslim involvement in the peace

movement. Thus the idea that UFPJ will attempt to hold a separate March and Rally on September 24 in

Washington, DC, and not join in principle the September 24 National Coalition for the March on

Washington is viewed by many as a "segregationist

counter-rally". Why? The answer is simple. It is all

about having a principle position on Palestine. When

it is all said and done UFPJ has paid mere lip service

to the Palestine issue and struggle as being part and

parcel of the American Peace Movement. They have

ignored the insistence of authentic voices in the

Muslim and Arab community that ending the occupation of Palestine and other regions of the world should not be decoupled from ending the occupation in Iraq.

Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, MAS Freedom Foundation stated, "The days when a few elitists with a few surrogate persons of color can stymie the hope and aspirations of millions of American Muslims concerning a principle agenda and response to what takes place in the Muslim world is over. Let's get real here, UFPJ called for a segregated March in DC after the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition made the initial call. They

listed all kinds of excuses why they can't join a unity effort. The reality is that a strong peace agenda put forth by the Muslim Community is not a reality that UFPJ is willing to accept and that is most unfortunate for the Peace and Justice Movement. I was there at a unity event when UFPJ remove the Palestinian flag from the stage. That speaks volumes for the leadership of UFPJ. However, I don't believe that the UFPJ leadership aversion to the Palestinian struggle is representative of the position of UFPJ's grassroots.

"As I've stated earlier we hold no ill will toward our

brothers and sisters in the UFPJ, however, I just wish

the leadership would drop the fig leaf, be up front and say that because of money and the fact of upsetting some left of center Democrats and other who have resisted the raising of the issue of the rights of the Palestinian People for true self determination they can not join the masses on September 24th.

Instead, they have chosen to sponsor a segregated

counter march and rally. It is sad commentary on this

facet of our movement but I truly believe that on September 24 those who want an inclusive movement will prevail on the streets of Washington, DC."

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