ILIA and AMP Host Occupation 101: Film Screening & Discussion on the Israeli Occupation of Palestine

GREENBELT, Md. - Nov. 20, 2019 - PRLog -- Sunday, about 50 people gathered at the Islamic Leadership Institute of America's (ILIA) Greenbelt Chapter for "Occupation 101: a film screening and discussion on the Israeli Occupation of Palestine." They munched on their popcorn, their faces illuminated by the image of a distraught child on screen. They were watching "Occupation 101: Voices of the Silenced Majority." The event, hosted by ILIA in collaboration with American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), was the first in a series to educate the community on the history of Palestine and its occupation. The film carried viewers through the history of the occupation, from the rise of Zionism to the second Intifada.

The event came in light of recent attacks on Gaza, and was intended to be a spark to combat the injustices and human rights violations occurring in Palestine. ILIA's Advocacy and Public Policy Leadership (APPL) track is working to make that change happen by pushing for policy changes and educating people in the community.

"For most of the people in the room, the occupation of Palestine has been happening since long before they were born. It's very easy to become desensitized to the violence or begin to feel hopeless," said Yomna Nassar, President of the ILIA Greenbelt Chapter. Nassar hoped this event would help the youth stay informed on the history of the occupation of Palestine, and urge them to get involved and take action. "It is our duty as Muslims to defend injustices like the ones taking place in Palestine," she noted.  "And we can't do that if we aren't educated."

After the film, people gathered for a discussion led by Taher Herzallah, Associate Director of Outreach and Grassroots Organizing for AMP. The group kicked it off with a discussion of "What is occupation?" and worked up to the details of illegal settlement in Palestine. Though the crowd laughed and made jokes, the heavy reality of the situation remained. One woman, who seemed to be getting all the questions right, was jokingly told she must've been cheating. "I was there," she replied simply.

Questions relating to settlements and demolition of Palestinian neighborhoods also brought the discussion closer to home for many of the participants. For many in the audience, their villages or those of their family were demolished or illegally settled.

At the conclusion of the program, the room was clearly charged with young leaders eager to take action. One leader in the community, Br. Tanweer Ahmed reminded the youth it is their duty to stand up to injustice and fight oppression. He urged them to continue in the pursuit of the truth, stay informed, and advocate for justice

For more information about ILIA's APPL program, visit www.islamicleadership.org