The Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) sends this statement to express our firm solidarity with BLSA, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Black community in the fight against systemic racism, police violence, and the historic oppression of the Black community. We stand in solidarity in demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the Black families of all who have been harmed by state-sanctioned violence and police and military brutalities. As Muslims, it is commanded in our faith to fight injustice, combat any form of racism, and work towards a justice for all peoples. Allah says in the Quran, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin…,” [Qur’an 4:135]. The Qur’an guides our duty as Muslims to stand for justice and fight against oppression. CUNY MLSA pledges to stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters and will actively listen to their demands and griefs, learn from them, and participate in the actions they call us to.
June 4th, 2020
Bismillah, In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful the Most Beneficial,
Dear CUNY Law Community,
The Muslim Law Students Association of the City University of New York School of Law (MLSA) stands in firm solidarity with BLSA, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Black community in the fight against systemic racism, police violence, and the historic oppression of the Black community. We up-lift and acknowledge the role and work that Black Muslims historically and presently have contributed to in combating white supremacy and police brutality since this country’s inception and beyond. We stand with the Black community in demanding justice for the hate-fueled killings and blatant police brutality that has and continues to occur to this day. We know the need for policy change in states which have taken advantage of “stand your ground” and other inhuman, one-sided policies.
We condemn all actions of state agencies that are built on violence and the subjugation of the Black community. These publicly-funded systems inflict trauma and death upon Black communities across the country and then seek to imprison them for rising up against these ongoing human rights violations. We stand alongside the Black community in the struggle for the abolition of all state-sanctioned violence, jails, prisons, and police and the State’s surveillance apparatus.
As Muslims, it is commanded in our faith to fight injustice, combat any form of racism, and work towards a justice for all peoples. Allah says in the Quran, “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin…,” [Qur’an 4:135]. The Qur’an guides our duty as Muslims to stand for justice and fight against oppression. We acknowledge that systemic racism exists at the root of this country’s origins and the violence experienced by our Black brothers and sisters is symptomatic of centuries of oppression and hate. It is crucial that our actions reflect nothing short of complete unity, standing with the Black community in demanding justice, reform, and the defunding of law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, we call upon the members of our Ummah (Muslim community) to stand in solidarity with the Black community and to speak out about the injustices and not remain silent. We also call upon other Muslim organizations, mosques, and community centers to commit to addressing anti-Blackness within our own communities through training, education, and dialogue. We make a commitment to hold ourselves accountable and to work with and alongside Black communities in our local cities to combat all forms of anti-Blackness. Today and every day, we stand with our Black brothers and sisters to combat anti-Black racism.
CUNY MLSA pledges to stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters and will actively listen to their demands and griefs, learn from them, and participate in the actions they call us to. We understand that solidarity is recognizing all struggles are intertwined for mutual survival and the liberation of all peoples oppressed. We will remain committed to joining the Black community in the transformations that are needed to obtain justice and equality.
We thank our Black comrades for humbling us, teaching us, and transforming the way we walk in the world. We are better people because of the engaged witnessing, the painful reflection and introspection, and the commitment to grow.
We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and communities of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the Black families of all who have been harmed by state-sanctioned violence and police and military brutalities.
May their souls rest in power and peace.
In Peace and Solidarity,
CUNY Law MLSA Editorial Board