Muslim Organizations and Leaders Join Biden, NATO And International Community Calling for An End to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Over a hundred dead and millions set to be displaced as Putin’s “special military operation” turns into a full-scale military invasion of its neighbor, a sovereign state.
As the bombs and fighting continue in Ukraine and Russia’s military continues its putative mission for regime change, Muslim leaders are joining the chorus of international calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Many citizens in cities such as Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernobyl and Lviv who have been experiencing sporadic airstrikes, are fleeing the country while others are taking refuge in underground subway stations and makeshift bomb shelters. For those who chose to stay in their homes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged them to remain indoors and “make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier” in a speech to citizens in Kyiv as Russian troops were entering the capital on Feb. 25.
Image courtesy of Reuters
Russia has been universally condemned for the unprovoked attack on its democratically elected neighboring state, and several prominent Muslims and non-profit organizations are sharing their condemnation for Putin’s actions.
Pictured: Wa'el AlzayatWa’el Alzayat, the CEO of EMGAGE, a civic engagement non-profit organization for American Muslims, released a statement in support of Ukraine.
“EMGAGE condemns in the strongest terms possible the Russian Federation’s continued illegal and destructive invasion of Ukraine,” he said. “We stand firmly with the people of Ukraine during Russia’s war against them and the values of democracy that threaten the likes of Vladimir Putin and fellow autocrats.”
Pictured: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
According to the Ukrainian leader, there have been 137 casualties and 316 wounded on day one. In a video address, Zelenskyy says that 10 of the deceased are military officers and refers to them as “heroes.” Many of the deaths have been a result of shelling and airstrikes.
Zara Mohammed, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain spoke out against the war, saying in a tweet, “The only ones that truly pay the price for war are the innocent civilians who have no say in it. My thoughts and prayers for the people of Ukraine.”
Pictured: Zara Mohammed
Following the invasion, Putin is now urging the Ukrainian military to “take power into its own hands” and overthrow Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian president has been pleading with NATO and other foreign governments to intervene, he also appealed to Putin himself to come to the negotiating table.
Pictured: Basharat SaleemBasharat Saleem, the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), called on Russia and those involved in the assault to express their grievances through words instead of violence.
“We call on all those involved — whether governments, movements or individuals — to repent of aggression and violence and turn instead to the way of peace through dialogue,” he said. “We also call upon the faithful people of our congregations and communities to pray for wisdom, peace and justice to prevail in Ukraine.”
The Biden Administration, which had been predicting the invasion for weeks, released a statement in solidarity with Ukraine after expelling the second-rank Russian diplomat and initiating a second round of even harsher sanctions against Russia
“Putin’s threatening actions and now his unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine are being met with an unprecedented level of multilateral cooperation,” it read. “The United States welcomes the commitments by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom that they will also take similarly forceful actions to hold Russia accountable — demonstrating the strength of our partnerships and deepening the impact on Russia more than any action we could have taken alone. This follows our joint action earlier this week to impose a first tranche of severe sanctions on Russia.”
The administration went on to list the numerous actions they have taken in an attempt to put extra pressure on Russia’s economy, such as severing the connection to the U.S. financial system for Russia’s largest financial institution, Sberbank, blocking sanctions on major Russian financial institutions and sweeping restrictions on Russia’s military.
Saleem also emphasized the effect this conflict could have on other countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is going through similar turmoil.
“All our religious traditions call us to pray and work for peace,” he said. “We join our voices and hands together. We must open our eyes to those who are suffering, and we cannot remain indifferent to the injustice this conflict has brought on the people of Ukraine and may bring on people of neighboring countries.”
