West Bank Palestine Emergency Relief Fund | Urgent Support Needed Now For Aida Camp | Anas Abu Srour Still In Captivity

as'salaamu alaykum 

Most of us are unaware of the difficulties taking place in Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank right now. This is in addition to so much that has taken place in Gaza and throughout Palestine that we've seen escalated. 

I was blessed to visit Palestine for the first time in January of 2020, shortly before COVID-19 reached the United States. One of the most impactful places we went to in Palestine on that visit was the Aida Refugee camp, home to 6000 Palestinian refugees spanning four generations.  Since that visit, we have been blessed to raised funds to support the Aida Camp through the good work of the Aida Youth Center.  Please consider making a gift at launchgood.com/AidaRefugeeCamp and sharing the link to encourage others to give as well inshallah. Every dollar will make a difference and will go through Refugee Alliance International, a registered charity here in the United States. Funds contributed are zakat-eligible and tax deductible and will be used to provide food parcel distribution to needy families, financial support for widows & orphans, and much needed medications and procedures for those who are ill and in need of medical attention.    

Palestine Emergency Relief - Donate Now!

With everything happening right now on the ground, it is that much more more important for us to support our sisters and brothers in the Aida Camp, particularly because Anas Abu Srour, who is a good friend and brother to our community and is the executive director of the Aida Youth Center, was taken captive last November and has still not been released. Anas has a three month old baby named Hassan, a loving wife named Maysan, and so many people who rely on him in a variety of ways.

Anas was arrested by soldiers on November 28th, 2023 as he was returning home to Bethlehem from Ramallah. He texted his wife around noon to let her know he was heading home and then no one heard from him after.  Some of you might remember him from his visit during jummah last Summer where he gave us a presentation on the Aida camp. 

I first met Anas when I visited Palestine in 2020.  His team cooked for us, played music for us, welcomed us, and so much more. They told us about the important work they do in providing food and basic medicines to the people in Aida Camp in addition to household supplies, hygiene products and more. We saw the good work they do in providing children with sports, arts, and other opportunities- really just space that is much needed. It was evident to see the impact his center had and continues to have on providing for their people. His leadership is built upon a beautiful character and profound sense of service. He brings hope to so many.

After 12 hours of not knowing where he was, the Palestinian Authority Liaison Office let his family and friends know around midnight that he was taken by Israeli army forces but they were given no information about his arrest, what he was being charged with, or where he was taken. He still has not been released.

Anas is one of hundreds who have been similarly detained in the West Bank in just these last few weeks - one of many who has a story, a name, and a life. Please say a special prayer for him. May Allah protect him and return him to his loved ones soon and in a safe condition. Ameen

Please consider making a gift at launchgood.com/AidaRefugeeCamp to ensure the good work that Anas and his team are doing continues and that we do our part to support our sisters and brothers in the West Bank.  Again, every dollar will make a difference and will go through Refugee Alliance International, a registered charity here in the United States. Funds contributed are zakat-eligible and tax deductible and will be used to provide food parcel distribution to needy families, financial support for widows & orphans, and much needed medications and procedures for those who are ill and in need of medical attention.    

Please do keep our brothers and sisters in Palestine in your prayers, especially in these blessed days of Ramadan.

- Khalid
                                                           
Imam Khalid Latif
University Chaplain  |  Global Spiritual Life at NYU 
Executive Director  |  The Islamic Center at NYU 
Senior Fellow & Co-Founder  |  Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership
Adjunct Assistant Professor  | NYU Wagner 
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