A Statement From Imam Mohamed Hag Magid

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatullahy Wabarakatu, My dear community,

I pray this message finds you well.

I feel compelled to address recent events regarding a photo posted by the USUN Ambassador, which has sparked some questions and feelings of hurt or betrayal. I want to clarify the purpose of my meeting with the Ambassador and my attendance at the recent meeting followed by an Iftar event.

During our meeting, I discussed the troubling civil war in Sudan, where people are starving to death and women are being subjected to horrific violence, including rape. This crisis is very close to my heart, as I still have many family members and friends in Sudan. With all embassies closed, people are unable to flee to safety, leaving women and children particularly vulnerable. It is imperative that we find solutions to help these individuals escape the conflict, seek refuge elsewhere, and find ways to end this civil war.

I also discussed the ongoing catastrophe (Nakba) in Gaza, highlighting the role of US government officials, people of faith, and the global community in ending the atrocities that have resulted in the food insecurity crisis in Gaza. Despite perceived efforts to aid by dropping food packages, people are being unjustly killed as they line up for food, and some are even drowning trying to reach the aid packages. I emphasized the need to apply pressure both publicly and privately to effect real change. I also made it clear that it is unacceptable that the US continues to veto votes for a ceasefire while funding and supplying weapons for this onslaught, which numerous experts have determined to be a genocide.

The Iftar brought together Ambassadors from 32 different countries, including Palestine and Sudan, providing a platform for me to publicly address the ongoing crises in Gaza, China, and Sudan, among other egregious human rights violations worldwide. I urged everyone present to reflect daily on the suffering of those deprived of basic needs and emphasized our collective responsibility to ensure every human can live an honorable and dignified life for generations to come.

Had there been no meeting before the actual Iftar to discuss how to immediately aid the people of Sudan and Gaza and end the occupation, I would not have attended just the Iftar Dinner by itself. It is crucial that we come together as a global community to address these pressing issues and work towards building peace around the globe.

I would be remiss if I did not mention how proud I am of the community for using their voices and staying persistent to achieve justice and protecting the basic human rights for all who are oppressed. Whenever I am invited to a meeting, I undertake a process of istikhara and consultation, and I carefully weigh the costs and benefits of my presence and voice. I want to emphasize that my decisions are never made for political gain or to trade any worldly benefit for my afterlife. The ultimate accountability is before Allah, and I strive to always act in accordance with this principle.

I would also like to ask for your trust that when I take these closed-door meetings, it is only to send the same message directly to the people in power that we are all amplifying during this time:  a demand for an immediate ceasefire, ending the occupation now, recognizing a free Palestinian state, rebuilding Gaza, and securing a lasting peace.

Thank you so much for your understanding.

Imam Mohamed Hag Magid

All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), 46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling, Virginia 20164, 703-433-1325