What’s Brewing?

As horrific scenes continue to emerge out of Rafah, American campuses have ignited in support for Palestine. Students and faculty seem to be risking their lives, security, livelihoods, and futures for what they say is a “small effort if it can make a change.” And while Palestine is not a religious issue, it does hold a lot of importance for Muslims globally. Perhaps it has to do with the spiritual dimension, in that Al Aqsa mosque was the first Qibla (compass for prayers) for Muslims. Perhaps because it bears many similarities to the Battle of Karbala where the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be Upon Him) grandson stood against tyranny and injustice with his family and companions and was martyred in a brutal way. Perhaps it is because no other people have endured such severe crimes and for such a long period of time as the Palestinians have. Prior to the British Mandate, Muslims made up more than 85 percent of the Palestinian population; today, it remains at 85% in the West Bank and 99% in Gaza. Muslims share a deep kinship with other Muslims no matter where they are, and because of shared belief the hurt and injustice is being felt by the collective Muslim Ummah. More importantly, the land of Palestine is sacred to its core, recognized by God in the Holy Quran as an Exalted place. Even if it was deserted, it would hold significance for Muslims. This means then, that not only is the settler-colonialist project a major injustice in the eyes of the world and a defiance against international law, it is a challenge against God's will.

“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs.” [Quran, 17:1]

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Student Led Protests Work of One Scholar

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Israeli Ambassador Pleads with Sunnis to Unite with Israel Against the Shia

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The ADL Can't Stop Using the Anti-Semitism Card

World

Tens of Thousands of Palestinians Flee Rafah

Over 100,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah in the past 72 hours as the threat of a full-scale Israeli assault looms closer. Some 1.3 million Palestinians, uprooted multiple times in the past several months, had sought refuge in tents and camps in the city. Now, the main hospital in Rafah has shut down, leaving the Palestinians more vulnerable than ever before, as they are dragged on a new exodus — again.

Economy

AstraZeneca Withdraws its COVID-19 Vaccine Worldwide

AstraZeneca is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccine worldwide just months after admitting that the drug can cause rare, but life threatening health conditions such as fatal blood clotting. The company now says their vaccine is no longer generating revenue and has faced a decline in demand. This comes after it made enormous profits from the vaccine during the pandemic, peaking at $4 billion in 2021. 

Tech

TikTok Sues US Government over Free Speech 

The Chinese-owned social media platform is suing the US government to stop the enforcement of a bill that would force the owner to sell the app or have it banned. The lawsuit calls the law an “unprecedented violation” of the First Amendment, and that invoking national security concerns is not a sufficient reason to restrict free speech. 

What You Need to Know

Over 800 UCLA Faculty Demand Chancellor’s Resignation

More than 800 faculty and staff at UCLA have called for the chancellor’s resignation after the university and police failed to intervene and protect pro-Palestinian students as they were being harassed and attacked by Israeli counter-protesters on April 30th. The letter highlighted support for the student-led protests and called for authorities to drop charges against students and staff involved in the encampments.

News

What Else is Brewing?

• The threat of starved families and injured patients receiving humanitarian aid is so real in Gaza that Israeli settlers, with IDF protection, spent all day blocking roads with large boulders and rocks. 

• American banks like Bank of America are tone deaf to the will of Americans, underwriting billions of dollars to Israel despite encampments. 

• Bahamas joined a growing list of countries ready to support the recognition of Palestine as a nation state. 

• An ex-Israeli general's son and author Miko Peled filmed himself confronting police about why they were beating peaceful students protesting with batons. He even threatened the cops with jail time as they concealed their names and badges. 

• Joining Shiraz University, Sanaa University in Yemen invites students and faculty suspended or arrested for pro-Palestine views to study for free and find a home there. 

• As if witnessing the beating of a displaced Gazan who jumped the fence into Egypt by authorities wasn't enough, Egyptian authorities have arrested at least 120 people for their pro-Palestine support since October 7.

Can you solve this?

What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?Reply with your guess. P.S: The answer to the last week’s riddle “How many letters are in the alphabet?” is ‘26’. Had you guessed it right?

Jummah Inspo

“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer.” [Holy Quran 2:153]

Truth Is In Your Hands

TMJ News is an independent media outlet that sheds light on world issues through a God-Centric lens. Based in the United States, TMJ News gives voice to critical stories not shared on the mainstream. Support our work by giving us a donation. To become a monthly member, give a monthly gift and subscribe to exclusive content, consider becoming a TMJ Patron on our Patreon.

Written by Zainabrights, Sara Salimi

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