DEARBORN — Several representatives of Arab American organizations, faith leaders and activists met at the Lebanese Heritage Club on Wednesday, Aug. 28, to declare their opposition to a possible U.S. strike on Syria and condemn violence throughout the Middle East.
About 40 prominent people in the community debated ways to take effective measures to combat sectarianism locally, and voice concerns about American policy in the the Middle East. After two hours of debate, the attendants decided to form a committee to take specific action regarding these matters, and issued a statement addressing President Barack Obama on Syria.
The United States and its Western allies seem to be readying for a military strike on Syria, after an alleged chemical attack against rebel-held areas outside Damascus. Obama had declared using chemical weapons in Syria “a red line.”
Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, said he contacted all major organizations and leaders from across the political spectrum in the community, and some people agreed with the meeting’s agenda but could not make it the Lebanese Heritage Club.
“I tried to contact everybody who has a social or political role,” he said. “We are not here to take sides. We take the side of the people and stability. People are dying everyday across the Middle East. As Arab Americans, we cannot be silent when our country is going to strike an Arab country that is already in turmoil.”
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| Community leaders and members at the Lebanese Heratige Club, Wednesday, Aug. 28. PHOTO: Faris Goryoka |
Siblani said he had called for the meeting to condemn terrorism and violence across the Middle East before the possibility of a U.S. strike on Syria had surfaced.
He added that the Sunni-Shi’a strife in the Middle East is “dangerous,” and it is approaching the Arab American community here, calling for action to protect the community from sectarian tensions.
Everybody in attendance had a chance to speak and weigh in on the issues. Expressed ideas ranged from meeting with Congressional leaders, to using social media, organizing large demonstrations and strikes and running TV commercial to oppose the possible war on Syria.
Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini, the leader of the Islamic Center of America called for immediate action to stop the violence in the Middle East and urged the community to be united.
Imam Steve El-Turk said the Syrian matter is an international issue that is outside the influence of the Arab American community, but people still have a religious and moral obligation to voice their opposition to war and violence.
Turk quoted a “Hadith” by Prophet Mohammad, in which he says, “If you see something wrong, change it with your hand, and if you can’t then with your tongue (speak out against it), and if you can’t than with your heart.”
Whether or not to issue a statement on Syria was a topic of debate. Some people argued that the community is divided over Syria, and a statement might highlight that division. No representatives of the Syrian opposition were at the meeting
A statement was eventually issued, urging Obama to avoid intervention in Syria and reminding him of the catastrophic outcomes of the war on Iraq. It also condemned the use of chemical weapons against civilians and called for a credible investigation to determine and punish the perpetrators.
The statement also denounced the violence targeting civilians in Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine. The car bombs and sectarian attacks throughout the Middle East have claimed the lives of hundreds of people over the past few weeks and targeted churches and mosques alike.
The statement was signed and approved by the vast majority of the attendees, who were asked to suggest amendments to things they do not agree with.
Turk did not sign the statement, saying that he needs to study it further before he attaches his name to it.
The statement could be read in-full below:
Arab Americans: Mr. Obama, stop wars, make peace
Representatives of Arab American organizations, faith leaders and activists met at the Lebanese Heritage Club on Wednesday, Aug. 28, and issued the following statement:
The Arab American community in Metro Detroit is concerned about the recent developments surrounding a possible, imminent U.S.-led attack on Syria, and what consequences such a destructive adventure would bring to the already bloodied and explosive situation in the region.
The Obama Administration’s policies in the Middle East have been a major source of instability and uncertainty. We are surprised that President Obama, who was elected on a platform promising “change,” is repeating his predecessors’ mistakes and warmongering, disappointing the people who believed and voted for him.
Obama’s recent approach to the Syrian civil war is a striking reminder of George W. Bush’s failing approach to Iraq, which led to the immoral, still-unjustified invasion of the country in 2003. The war on Iraq has killed over one million people, displaced millions and left the country broken, divided and prone to violence that continues to destroy and devastate Iraqi lives today. It also has inflicted severe consequences on our nation’s standing and credibility in the world, killed and wounded thousands of our soldiers and driven our economy to the brink of bankruptcy. Recent polls indicate clearly that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want any form of intervention in Syria. The president should listen attentively to the American public and attend to the American national interests. We, Arab Americans, share the views and concerns of our fellow citizens.
We also take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons against civilians in Syria, regardless of who stands behind this heinous crime. We demand an independent, credible investigation to determine the perpetrators of chemical attacks, so they can be punished accordingly.
We equally condemn the recent rash of violence against innocent civilians–Christians and Muslims, mosques and churches— that is engulfing Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine.
We ask Arab governments to exercise their responsibility to protect their populations from terrorism and respect the rights of their citizens.
Also, we expect our own American government to act in accordance with the founding principles of our great nation and refrain from meddling in other countries’ affairs while focusing its attention on the needs of its own people. We demand our president and Congress to respect international law and the Constitution, and oppose financing or leading unapproved wars against other sovereign nations.
We express our support for all efforts to bring all Syrians together to negotiate a peaceful solution to the crisis. We embrace attempts to convene Geneva II as a political means to resolve the Syrian conflict.
For questions, contact Osama Siblani:
osiblani@arabamericannews.com
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