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ISNA President Expresses Concerns on Gaza Crisis to Vice President Biden at Interfaith Iftar Dinner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Plainfield, IN 7/24/14) On July 22nd, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) President Imam Mohamed Magid spoke with Vice President Joseph Biden while attending an interfaith iftar dinner, to express the American Muslim community’s concern for the loss of innocent lives in Gaza. Other guests included Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), Rep. James Moran (D-VA) and local representatives from the Jewish and Christian faith traditions. According to the most recent reports, over 700 Palestinians were killed with 4,000 injured. Over 80% of them were civilian. Three Israeli civilians and 32 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the conflict began over two weeks ago. Imam Magid along with Christian and Jewish leaders who attended the interfaith iftar dinner, conveyed the message of respect for human life, a principle common in all three Abrahamic faiths. They also emphasized the importance of collaboration in establishing an environment of dialogue and understanding between faith traditions. Many efforts are being made by Muslims and our interfaith partners to put an end to the violence. Among these many efforts is the website,nodeadkids.com where over 53,000 letters have been sent to congressional representatives through this website. “We encourage our communities to engage their elected officials to express their desire to end conflict and bring about peace,” says ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid. The “No Dead Kids” website’s introduction says in part: “The escalation in and around the Gaza Strip is causing terrible suffering to people – to men, women, the elderly, and children – Palestinian as well as Israeli civilians. The military offensive conducted by the Israeli military has so far caused hundreds of Palestinian casualties; the vast majority of them unarmed civilians. The siege and economic blockade have reduced most of Gaza’s population to abject poverty, devastated its economy and caused the death of critically-ill patients who were denied access to vital treatment.” To make your voice heard go to the link below: nodeadkids.rallycongress.com The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America. Its mission is to foster the development of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement, and better understanding of Islam. —END— CONTACT: ISNA Communications Director Edgar Hopida, 317-839-1820 or 317-679-6350,  ehopida@isna.net