Palestine Conference 2014

On the 15^th of September 2014, Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) has organised Palestine Conference 2014 that was held at the University of Nottingham, UK. The whole day conference was filled with talks by international speakers, panel discussions, and also workshops on issues related to the current situation in Palestine and how the participants can get involved. The speakers who attended the conference are Norman Finkelstein, Wadah Khanfar, and Dr Daud Abdullah to name a few.

The day started off with a brief introduction on ‘Palestine: Past and Present’ by Sarah Colborne. The introduction gave a clear view on the history of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and how the Palestinians have been oppressed and displaced since the foundation of Israel. Further keynote speech is by Wadah Khanfar on the topic ‘Palestine amidst an uncertain Arab Spring’. With his experience as a former Director General of Al-Jazeera network and also co-founder of the Sharq forum, he engages with the participants on his views regarding Palestinian issues and the significance of political movements in Middle East.

The conference continued with a panel discussion on ‘Settlements and the Right of Return’ that was given by Tim Llewellyn, a journalist specialising in the Middle East; Dr Daud Abdullah, the Director of Middle East Monitor an independent UK based media research institution; and also Sarah Colborne, the Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The discussion touches on the issue of media bias by the western media, the critical situation of Palestinian refugees, and also an introduction into several international campaigns for example boycotts and sanctions.

Other than talks, participants are also given the opportunity to choose two out of five workshop sessions that mainly promotes different types of campaigns for the Palestinians throughout the day. The workshops are Press and Palestine, Political Campaigning, Careers Campaigning, Organised Campaigning and also Dabka. These workshop sessions gave the participants a chance to interact with the speakers in a smaller group so they can gain a lot more insight on each session.

The last session of the conference was a keynote speech by Norman Finkelstein who is well known for his research on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the basis of human rights, he condemned the actions and demands of Israel that has clearly violated the human rights of the Palestinian especially their right of return. He also presented the consequences of the Kerry Initiative to the Palestine-Israeli conflict based on his research and studies.

Alhamdulillah, three of our Israa Volunteers were able to attend the conference and it has been an eye opener and a good experience for all of us since Israa Institution itself is also a body to campaign on the issue of Palestinians. We hope with the information that we have gained, we are able to create more awareness among people about the issue of Palestinians.

On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) the servant of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), the Prophet (pbuh) said: "None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself." [Bukhari & Muslim]

iLubnan4 Charity Dinner

Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah SWT, the event ‘iLubnan4 Charity Dinner’ was successfully held at the Raoshi Restaurant, Manchester on the 12^th of March 2014. The event, organized by Israa Institution’s activists with the aim to raise funds that can be donated to the Palestinians refugees who are currently in Lebanon. Alhamdulillah guests including students, professionals and families came to show their support for the Palestinian cause.

The event was begun with a recital of passages from the Holy Quran. It then proceeded with speeches by the honorable guest, Mr Taufik bin Ahmad, the representator of Education Malaysian, the Chairman of Israa Institution, Brother Musaini bin Ramlee and the director of ‘iLubnan4 Charity Dinner’, Brother Haikal Uzir. This was followed by activities of performances, auctions and the dinner itself.

During the event, an amount of GBP 2260 was collected during the auctioning session. Items that were auctioned include cakes, drawings of Al-Aqsa Masjid and a symbolic painting symbolizing the Palestinian’s struggle and the promised freedom. The guests had shown great enthusiasm in helping our Palestinian brothers and sisters. For those who were not able to attend the dinner itself were able to contribute through online donation. Overall, the dinner had successfully collected a total of GBP 3517.94 .

On behalf of the organizer, we would like to thank all of you that had contributed not only to the success of the event but also to those whom play a role to help our Palestinian brothers and sisters. As narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Messenger said, “A Muslim is a brother of Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfills his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfill his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). May Allah accept our deeds and relieve us on the Day of Resurrection, as mentioned in the hadith.

It is also hoped alongside raising funds for humanitarian aid, we can continue to grow stronger sense of belonging with our brothers and sisters in Palestine, with continuous Dua’ and increased drive to provide them aid, biidznilah.

‘Palestine in our heart’ 

Report by: Nur Irra Syahiddah

Hope For Orphans Project 2014

Alhamdulillah, Israa' Institution will continue the orphans sponsorship project for this year!

All sponsorships will be handed over during the iLubnan4 mission in April. 

Just only £400/€480, you could sponsor a child in Palestine for a year, and give them HOPE for a better life.

There is also option to sponsor 'by slot' for only £40/€48!

Please fill in this form - http://tinyurl.com/Israa-Hope14

And do help us to spread the word.

My Ummah Week | Palestine Talk

Alhamdulillah pada 27 Februari 2014, satu program ‘Palestine Talk’ telah diadakan di Belfast sempena projek ‘My Ummah Week’ yang dianjurkan oleh IKRAM Care and Relief (iCARE) dan Israa Institution Ireland. Seramai lebih kurang 60 orang yang terdiri daripada warga Malaysia dan Brunei di Belfast telah hadir pada malam tersebut. Objektif utama program ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kesedaran ummat akan perihal saudara-saudara kita di Palestin. Program berlangsung dari pukul 6.30 petang hingga 10 malam dan penceramah jemputan ialah ukhti NoorHasyimah Ismail yang merupakan seorang aktivis Palestin di bawah NGO Aqsa Sharif Malaysia.

Program dimulakan dengan makan malam yang telah disediakan. Tepat pada pukul 7.30 petang, para hadirin telah memenuhi ruangan dewan kuliah dan majlis berlangsung dengan pembukaan al-fatihah oleh juruacara majlis, akh Muhammad ‘Afif Amran. Seterusnya, akh Zaiem Akmal dijemput untuk membacakan ayat suci al-quran. Perkongsian yang disampaikan oleh saudari Hasyimah adalah mengenai keadaan saudara kita di Palestin dan lebih kepada membuka mata semua untuk tahu kenapa perlu kita peduli akan ummat. Sejarah tentang Palestin-Israel juga dikongsi pada mulanya. Pada akhir ceramah, saudari Hasyimah menceritakan tentang peranan yang boleh dilakukan oleh kita secara umumnya dan khususnya. Selepas itu, sesi soal jawab diteruskan. Majlis tamat pada pukul 10.15 malam.

Sepanjang minggu tersebut juga telah berlangung jualan amal dan hasil kutipan daripada aktiviti ini adalah sebanyak £186.88. Segala sumbangan akan disalurkan kepada Israa Insitution. Dengan laporan ini disertakan beberapa gambar yang diambil selama berlangsungnya program ‘Palestine Talk’.

Akhir kata, pihak penganjur amat berharap dengan izin Allah agar program ‘Palestine Talk’ ini dapat menjadi satu platform bagi semua yang hadir agar terus mengambil perhatian dan berusaha dengan apa cara sekalipun yang termampu untuk mengambil tindakan supaya yang hak akan terus tertegak.

Laporan oleh:
Nabila Rosaidi