U.S. Activist Aishah Schwartz Joins Egyptians for May 15 Nakba Commemoration at Rafah Border

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U.S. Activist Joins Egyptians for Nakba Commemoration

DEMOTIX PHOTO ALBUM: http://www.demotix.com/news/695467/us-activist-joins-egyptians-nakba-commemoration-rafah

[SUBHAN'ALLAH...and this was happening on the other side of the border... For the first time in 63 years of being outcast from their home land, some 50,000 Palestinians have flooded the border of Lebanon and Palestine. http://www.presstv.com/detail/180166.html]

[AND in Palestine: Palestinian protesters mark Nakba Day - http://www.presstv.com/detail/180098.html]

RAFAH, EGYPT (15 May 2011) - Joining a group of fellow activists traveling from Cairo to the Rafah border crossing, American activist, Aishah Schwartz, marked the 63rd Nakba commemoration among demonstrators waving Palestinian and Egyptian flags calling for the right of Palestinians to return to their homelands.

The Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza, led by organizer and public affairs director, Ahmed Elassy, originally set out for the Rafah border in anticipation of fulfillment of the April 17 commitment made by Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil El-Araby to facilitate delivery of goods and building supplies officially requested by Elassy for delivery to Gaza.

The main objective of the Egyptian-International Coalition for Ending the Blockade and Rebuilding Gaza is to peacefully demand the permanent end of the Egyptian blockade of goods, services and building materials to the Gaza Strip.

In an unforeseen twist of fate it was announced on Sunday that Al-Araby had been named as the new Secretary General of the Arab League, effectively side-lining what would have been a siege breaking event.

Elassy's group was determined to remain hopeful of completing its mission but returned to Cairo on Tuesday, after an all-night sit-down demonstration staged Monday by a separate group of activists arriving through the desert, resulted in officials placing a ban on all non-traveling visitors attempting to reach the border.

Thousands from across Egypt had attempted to reach the Rafah crossing to commemorate the 63rd Nakba, but an alert issued in the Sinai Peninsula and along the borders, resulted in an intensified military presence marked by travelers not identifiable as Sinai residents being turned back.

The May 15 Nakba (translated as 'Catastrophe') Memorial Day commemoration marks the occasion during which more than 700,000 Palestinians - estimated today to number 4.7 million with their descendants - were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in 1948. Additionally, Israeli forces destroyed more than 400 villages in their wake.

On Wednesday Hamas officials announced it's decision to close the crossing from the Palestinian side from Thursday for an indefinite period. (http://youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=415719)

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اعتصام 50 ناشطا مصريا وأمريكيا أمام معبر رفح
رفح- عبد الحليم سالم
Rafah - Abdel-Halim Salem
http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=412977

يعتصم قرابة 50 ناشطا مصريا وناشطة أمريكية أمام بوابة معبر رفح تضامنا مع غزة، ومن أجل الدخول إلى القطاع للمشاركة بيوم الزحف لفك الحصار عن غزة.

وقال أحمد العاصى، منسق التحالف الدولى لكسر الحصار عن غزة، إن النشطاء مازالوا أمام المعبر بمشاركة الناشطة الأمريكية عائشه شووركس.

وأضاف أن قوات الأمن احتجزت الناشطين عند الحوجز الأمنية، ومنعت وصولهم إلى القطاع.

وتشهد سيناء والمناطق الحدودية حالة من الاستنفار الأمنى والتواجد الكثيف للقوات المسلحة.

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Only a few protesters make it to Rafah on Nakba Day - http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/437715

Activists spend night at border after being denied access to Gaza - http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/440383

Thousands rallied in Cairo for "Nakba" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6XM6Ucl3Iw


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AISHAH SCHWARTZ: Support the Facebook Campaign for a No-Fly Zone Over Palestine!

SUPPORT THE FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN FOR A NO-FLY ZONE OVER PALESTINE!

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Help Free All Palestinian Women Political Prisoners

http://aishahsjourney.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-is-womens-history-month-help-free.html
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March is Women's History Month - Help Free All Palestinian Women Political Prisoners

Sign the petition

http://tinyurl.com/free-all-women
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Sigh the petition at http://tinyurl.com/free-all-women

Since 1967 more than 12,000 Palestinian women were detained by the Zionist entity. During the First Intifada 3000 women were detained and during Al-Aqsa Intifada more than 900 women were locked up behind Israeli bars.

Currently, there are 35 Palestinian women detainees in the Israeli prisons Damon and HaSharon: among them 3 administrative detainees, 8 await trial, 23 sentenced of whom 5 are serving life sentences. Palestinian female detainees, like their brothers in detention, suffer from the brutality of the Israeli Prison Authority.

They are punished for the slightest thing with isolation, are beaten, harassed, tied up for hours under hot sun or under rain, deprived of sleep, their rooms raided at night, continuously denied family visits and calls back home, and letters are sent and brought only once every 3 months.

Water is very dirty and food is inedible, thus the detainees are forced to buy their food and water from the prison canteen for very high prices. Some political prisoners are also locked up with Israeli criminals who abuse them. Their cells are over-crowded, damp, lack hygiene and are infested with insects.

The detainees are also denied appropriate and much needed medical treatment and most medications are expired; 13 detainees are in need of medical treatment.

Amal Faiz Jum’a from Askar refugee camp suffers from womb cancer while Raja’ Al-Ghoul from Jenin refugee camp suffers from heart and blood pressure diseases and both don’t get the need treatment.

Female detainees are only allowed to see a general doctor and no specialists, and some were forced to give birth while hand and leg cuffed such as Mirvat Taha and Manal Ghanim.

Currently, there are at least 6 Palestinian mothers in detention. Others have their husbands or their brothers in Israeli detention as well, but are not allowed to visit them. Abir Odeh for example has 3 brothers in Israeli detention and Fatin Al-Shafi’ Al-Sa’di has a brother in jail.

Palestinian female prisoners currently in Israeli detention:

1 Amna Jawad Ali Muna, detained since 19.01.2001 (life sentence)
2 Abeer Isa Atef Amro, detained since 22.02.2001
3 Iman Mohammad Hasan Ghazzawi, detained since 03.08.2001, mother of 2 (13 yrs)
4 Ahlam Aref Shihadeh At-Tamimi, detained since 14.09.2001 (13 life sentence and 20 yrs)
5 Ibtisam Abdel-Hafith Faiz Issawi, detained since 04.11.2001, mother of 6 (15 yrs)
6 Lina Ahmad Saleh Jarbuni, detained since 18.04.2002
7 Sana’ Mohammad Husein Shehadeh, detained since 24.05.2002 (3 times life sentences)
8 Qahira Said As-Sa’di, detained since 30.05.2002, mother of 4 (3 times life sentence and 30 yrs)
9 Ireena Buli Shuk Sarhan, detained since 22.05.2002, mother of 2 (life sentence)
10 Du’a’ Ziad Jamil Al-Jayyousi, detained since 07.06.2002 (3 times life sentence and 30 years)
11 Warda Abbas Abdel-Fattah Baqrawi, 16.10.2002
12 Latifa Mohammad Mahmoud Abu Dira’, detained since 08.12.2003, mother of 7 (25 yrs)
13 Amal Fayez Jum’a, detained since 09.05.2004
14 Reema Riyad Hasan Abu Arrazaq Daraghmeh, detained since 28.07.2004
15 Mariam Salem Suleiman Tarabeen, detained since 24.01.2005
16 Wafa’ Samir Al-Bis, detained since 20.06.2005 (12 yrs, is in isolation)
17 Futna Mustafa Khalil Abu Al-Aish, detained since 21.07.2006
18 Wurud Maher Qasim, detained since 04.10.2006
19 Rawda Ibrahim Younis Habib, detained since 20.05.2007
20 Nada Ata Saleh Derbas, detained since 05.05.2007
21 Fatin Bassam Shafi’ Al-Saadi, detained since 20.05.2008
22 Sanabil Nabigh Yousif Brik, detained since 22.09.2008
23 Khadija Habash, detained since 22.01.2009
24 Raja’ Al-Ghoul, detained since 30.03.2009 (administrative detention)
25 Randa Shehateet, detained since 06.01.2009
26 Aisha Mohammad Abayat, detained since 13.08.2009
27Abir Mohammad Hasan Odeh, detained since 09.07.2009
28 Nisreen Abu Zeinah, detained since 18.08.2009
29 Ghufran Zamil, detained since 29.08.2009
30 Suad Ahmad Abdel-Ra’ouf Nazzal, detained since 22.08.2009
31 Hana Yahya Saber Shalabi, detained since 14.09.2009 (administrative detention)
32 Sumoud Yaser Hasan Karajeh, detained since 15.10.2009
33 Nili Zahi As’ad Sa’id, detained since 11.11.2009
34 Muntaha Khlaid Rashid Al-Tawil, detained since 08.02.1010, mother of 4 (administrative detention)
35 Alia Abdel Majid Al-Natsheh

In addition to Palestinian female detainees in Israeli jails, the Zionist entity imprisons the bodies of 7 Palestinian female martyrs:

1 Dalal Said Mohammad Al-Mughrabi, killed on 11.3.1978
2 Darin Abu Eisheh, from Jenin, killed on 17.02.2002
3 Zeinab Isa Abu Aalim, from Askar refugee camp, Nablus, killed on 22.04.2004
4 Hanadi Tayseer Abdel Malik, from Jenin, killed on 04.10.2003
5 Wafa' Ali Khalil Idris, from Al-'Am’ari refugee camp, Ramallah, killed 21.1.2002
6 Ayat Mohammad Lutif Al-Akhras, from Dheisheh refugee camp, Bethlehem, killed on 29.03.2002
7 Hiba Azim Daraghmeh, from Toubas, killed on 19.05.2003

Sources:
www.palestinebehindbars.org
www.waed.ps
www.dci-pal.org
http://addameer.info
Footnotes
[1] http://www.dcipal.org/english/camp/freedomnow/display.cfm?DocId=803&CategoryId=16
© http://avoicefrompalestine.wordpress.com
http://www.countercurrents.org/alhelsi170410.htm

The Palestinian Protest Organized and Supported for Palestinians by Palestinians - March 15

Gaza Youth Breaks Out! calls for demonstrations in Gaza and the West Bank; encourages solidarity events world-wide in front of Palestinian embassies in coordination with Palestinian communities abroad.

Feb 24, 2011 (EGYPT) – The U.K.'s Guardian published an article in February demonstrative of the true voice of Gaza youth, calling for a 'United for Palestinian Freedom' March on 15 March, 2011 (English)-(Arabic). "Gaza Youth Breaks Out!" (GYBO), led by a core group of individuals who remain anonymous for security purposes, is a grassroots non-aligned movement, in regular contact with students in the West Bank and with connections to Palestinians and pro-Palestinian groups in Europe and South America as well as the Middle East.

GYBO first made headlines last year when they published an impassioned manifesto, endorsed by over 20,000 Gaza youth, expressing frustration with life and politics born of Hamas's violent crackdowns on 'western decadence', the destruction wreaked by Israel's attacks and the political games played by Fatah and the UN.

Manifesto 2.0, now available at http://gazaybo.wordpress.com, attempts to clear the air regarding objections to what some deemed as 'harsh' language in the original.

As stated in the updated manifesto, "We were harsh, true. We were angry, and still are. The order in which the 'parties' were cited was not intended and we are conscious that it brought much confusion in people's minds. However, to those reproaching us – because we denounced the corruption of our political leaders – of insulting the thousands who voted for Hamas in 2006 [including youth], of insulting the memories of the martyrs of the Resistance groups affiliated to the different Palestinian factions who shed their blood for us in many occasions, starting with Operation Cast Lead, we want to reply, 'don’t insult the Palestinian people's right to criticize its politicians.'

"Cast Lead wasn't a war; Cast Lead was a massacre, a slaughter, anything but a war. And during that massacre, we, the people of Gaza, paid from our blood too. Every single Palestinian sacrificed something, someone; it affected us all, from the youngest to the oldest, not only the Resistance. Bombs didn't make much difference. We never intended to reject the Resistance, and we're going to repeat it again; we will NEVER reject those who fight for us, for our Palestine, and it was NOT the case in our previous manifesto.

Manifesto 2.0 goes on to state, "Yes we voted for Hamas government. We all did. We were tired of Fatah's government corruption, [we] wanted a change and hoped Hamas would be that change. That [is] PRECISELY [what] gives us the right to shout our anger at them, because they are responsible [for] us, responsible of our well-being, our security. Fatah in the West Bank arrests Hamas affiliates, Hamas in Gaza arrests Fatah affiliates, while everywhere in Palestine you can find family members from different factions living united. Yes we denounce our politicians – [note those] words; POLITICIANS – because their mutual hatred divided them, even during the commemoration of the first anniversary of [the] Cast Lead massacre, while a crowd of Palestinians from all factions stood united by martyrdom, grief, and love for Palestine."

In conclusion, the updated manifesto adds, "We want three things. We want to be free. We want to be able to live a normal life. We want peace. Is that too much to ask? We are a peace movement of young people in Gaza and supporters elsewhere that will not rest until the truth about Gaza and Palestine is known by everybody in this whole world and in such a degree that no more silent consent or loud indifference will be accepted. And if we fail, other groups will take our place, until our voice can't be ignored anymore."

Details of the March 15 event, published and coordinated in English and Arabic language Facebook pages titled, "End the Division" or "Palestinians United", indicate that it is already supported by nearly 10,000; another coordinating page, primarily in Arabic, titled, "Palestinian", supported by 66,694, is also promoting the event. GYBO is further striving to unify nine other groups or Facebook pages in Gaza calling for action in the coming weeks.

Demonstrations have been organized to begin at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, March 15 and are stated to 'continue until the achievement of all goals'.

Gathering places, to date, include: Gaza - the Unknown Soldier Square; Ramallah -  Manara Square; Tulkarm - Roundabout Gamal Abdel Nasser; Jenin - complex of garages near the old Cinema Jenin; Hebron - in front of the governor's office; Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity Square Nablus: Martyrs Square; Jordan and Lebanon: to be announced.

GYBO March 15 demonstration organizers are also calling for solidarity events world-wide in front of Palestinian embassies in coordination with the Palestinian communities abroad.

As stated on GYBO's 'End the Division' Facebook page, "On behalf of the Palestinian Arab people, on the blood of the martyrs, widows and bereaved, orphans and thousands of prisoners in Israeli jails and all our people in the Palestinian Diaspora, we call on all the Palestinian factions to unite under the banner of Palestine, in order to reform the political system in Palestine, based on the interests and aspirations of the Palestinian people in the homeland and the Diaspora."

With the resignation of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, it has been described as the hope of Egyptian youth that, Gaza will feel the effects of their new-found freedom because the siege of Gaza will end and the kinship between the people of Egypt and Palestine will be restored.

Although a complete overhaul of Rafah border restrictions remains to be achieved, an easement was seen in the period from June 2007 until 25 January when the border closed again for three weeks during the Egyptian Revolution. This past week the Egyptian Armed Forces began what many envision as the beginning of a series in border crossing improvements when Palestinians stranded in Egypt during the revolution were allowed to return. Subsequently, on 22 February, the border opened for two-way traffic and fees waived for those unable to pay.

Currently the Egyptian Armed Forces is receiving thousands of expatriates and refugees of the Libyan revolution. Al-Jazeera reports that there are an estimated one million Egyptians currently residing and working in Libya. Virtually every tourism bus in Egypt is lined up waiting to receive evacuees at the Salum border who have traveled through days of horror as the volatile crisis in Libya continues to escalate.

Additionally, news agencies reported earlier on Thursday, that smugglers shot and killed an Egyptian policeman at the Rafah border and Israeli Defense Forces struck against a number of alleged terrorists driving a vehicle in the city of Rafah. According to Palestinian sources area residents reported hearing four separate explosions leaving one dead and three injured; four residents - two adults and two children - were treated for shock.

Suffice it to say, patience and continued support of the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces to establish stability and the security of not only Egyptians, but Palestinians and Libyans as well, is crucial in this time.

RELATED
American Activist, Aishah Schwartz "Now is not the Time for an International March on Rafah" - Also published at The American Muslim (TAM)
Young Palestinians Call for Protests on 15 March
Gaza Youth Breaks Out (GYBO)
GYBO Campaign 'End the Division' - (English) - (Arabic)
Gazan Youth Issue Manifesto to Vent Anger with All Sides in the Conflict
Aishah Schwartz: The Gaza Chronicles

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Aishah Schwartz serves as Executive Director of the Washington, D.C.-based Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), founded in 2006. She is also a published freelance non-fiction writer/citizen-journalist and internationally renowned human rights activist. Full biography here.

--- end ---     Visit Press Room

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Aishah Schwartz on the Egyptian Revolution, Tunisia, Gaza, Saudi Arabia and more!

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AMERICAN ACTIVIST AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON THE EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION AND TUNISIA

• American Activist, Aishah Schwartz on Tunisia's Revolution

• Egyptian or American: A lesson in understanding the difference and why Egyptians are protesting

• Inside Egypt: Day 12, an update from American Activist, Aishah Schwartz

• American Activist Aishah Schwartz Reports on Return of Al-Jazeera Correspondent Detained in Cairo

• After Visiting Tahrir Square American Activist Aishah Schwartz Delivers Message to U.S. Citizens

• American Activist, Aishah Schwartz Congratulates Egypt and Her Egyptian Friends

• Hurghada Maritime Tourism Revolution Participants Succeed in Bid to End Corruption

AMERICAN ACTIVIST AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON GAZA AND THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA 

• Aishah Schwartz - The Gaza Chronicles

• Aishah Schwartz on the Women's Rights Movement in Saudi Arabia

ARABIC PRESS ON AISHAH SCHWARTZ

• Aishah Schwartz AlWafd Article 1 - Cairo, Egypt (2009)

• Aishah Schwartz AlWafd Article 2 - Cairo, Egypt (2009)

• Aishah Schwartz AlWafd Article 3 - Cairo, Egypt (2010)

• Aishah Schwartz AlWafd Article 4 - Cairo, Egypt (2011)

• Aishah Schwartz October Weekly - Cairo, Egypt (2010)

• Video Documentary of Aishah Schwartz Produced for Al-Jazeera (Arabic)

AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON FACEBOOK

• Aishah Schwartz Profile Page (Has Exceeded 5,000 Friend Limit)

• Aishah Schwartz, Activist-Writer

• Biography of Aishah Schwartz 

ADDITIONAL WRITING OF AISHAH SCHWARTZ

• Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA)/Aishah Schwartz Press Room

• Aishah's Islamic Journey (Blog) 

AISHAH SCHWARTZ ACTIVISM PHOTO ALBUMS

• Aishah Schwartz: American Activist Visits Cairo's Tahrir Square During Egyptian Revolution 8 Feb. 2011

• Aishah Schwartz: Faces from Cairo to Gaza and Back

• Aishah Schwartz: Gaza Freedom March 2009-10

• Aishah Schwartz: Guardianship Reform in Saudi Arabia

• Aishah Schwartz: Egypt Maritime Revolution Seeks to End Corruption

• Aishah Schwartz: Al-Jazeera Documentary

• Aishah Schwartz: Purple Hijab Day

• Aishah Schwartz: Inspired by Muhammad Campaign

• Aishah Schwartz: Recognition and Achievements, Misc.

Biography: Aishah Schwartz (2010-11)

Updated to cover 2002-2017 here.

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Aishah Schwartz (bibliography), an American Muslim revert to Islam since April 2002, is founder and director of the 2006 established Washington, D.C.-based Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) and a retired career litigation legal secretary. She is also a published freelance non-fiction writer/journalist and internationally renowned human rights activist with a focus on the rights of Muslim women and the plight of the Palestinian people affected by the Israeli imposed illegal embargo on Gaza.

Ms. Schwartz's writing, primarily autobiographical, generally focuses on countering misconceptions about Islam and her own life as a Muslim. Relating her experiences as an American Muslim woman traveling in the Middle East, her stories gained world-wide notoriety via the internet.

She eventually also became a featured writer for Naseeb Vibes, one of the world's largest online Muslim e-zines and social communities. Ms. Schwartz's articles are also regularly published at The American Muslim (TAM) and various other outlets.

Shortly after becoming Muslim, while volunteering at the 2003 ISNA Convention she was interviewed for Nile TV and later that year participated in a voter registration campaign at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, which led to her first "quote" in a CBS News story.

As a writing activist Ms. Schwartz focuses on civil and human rights issues within the Muslim community at-large, particularly those adversely affecting Muslim women.

She addressed President Jacques Chirac, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, in front of the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. as hundreds gathered on January 17, 2004 in protest of an impending law prohibiting Muslim women from wearing hijab.

In 2004 Ms. Schwartz also participated in the live filming of the hour-long premiere episode of the WETA-TV series "Senso Reports" - Target Washington (2004); appearing twice in cameo.

In 2005 she lead a national campaign in association with America's Second Harvest, organized to rally the Muslim community in support of National Hunger Awareness Day and developed a Hunger Awareness guide for participants in the Muslim community that was distributed to masjids across the United States.

Robert Forney, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest stated, "We are honored to be aided in our National Hunger Awareness Day 2005 efforts by members of so many diverse faiths, including Ms. Schwartz." In 2006 she continued the Hunger Awareness campaign as Founder and Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA).

Through MWA her activism received international recognition in 2006 after a successful campaign to avert removal of a prayer space in view of the Kabba designated for women in the courtyard of Makkah's Grand Mosque. The impact the campaign website, online petition, poster declaring "We Have A Right to Pray in This Space!", and press release, all directed to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. was reported on by Egypt's Al-Ahram Weekly. "Aishah Schwartz, founder-director of the Muslimah Writers Alliance in Washington, set up the Grand Mosque Equal Access for Women Project that circulated a petition protesting the restrictions [on women]. Very quickly over a thousand signatures were collected."

Women inside Saudi Arabia and around the world, meanwhile, carried on protesting in the media. "It was the most striking example to date of concerted Islamic feminist global protest and one that authorities could not ignore," stated Margot Badran, Senior Fellow, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

On September 11, 2006, the proposal was overturned based in part on pressure from international media outlets and response to the online petition endorsed by Muslims worldwide.

In July of 2007, in her capacity as Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), and in conjunction with a program titled, "Islam in America; a project for Russia", Ms. Schwartz hosted a leadership delegation from Russia at the Islalmic Center in Washington, D.C. The program was part of the Delphi International Program of World Learning International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department.

In 2008, Human Rights Watch (HRW) recognized Ms. Schwartz's work in support of equal rights for women in the Grand Mosque Equal Access campaign in its report titled, "Perpetual Minors".

Ms. Schwartz was also recognized for her work in tackling equality within the masjid in the 2007 paperback release of Donna Gherke-White's 'Face Behind the Veil', a widely read collection of stories shedding additional light on issues facing American Muslim women.

Launching another Saudi Arabia-based campaign in 2007, again directed to the Saudi King, Ms. Schwartz tackled the need for reforms in the Kingdom's laws regarding guardianship of women with the "Say 'No' to Forced Divorce, 'Yes' to Reforms" campaign, which combined the cause for reuniting Fatima and Mansour Al-Timani, a couple forcefully divorced due to alleged 'tribal' differences.

Mansour Al-Timani and his wife, Fatima were finally reunited nearly 5-years from their divorce, however, the Say 'No' to Forced Divorce, 'Yes' to Reforms petition, signed by people from 40 Countries, 56 Foreign Cities, 21 U.S. States, and 45 U.S. Cities, continues in support of reform.

Ms. Schwartz also had the opportunity discuss the issue as a guest panelist on the D.C.-based television program, "Islamic Perspectives".

An unexpected surprise came to Ms. Schwartz in September of 2009 when her blog, "Sister Aishah's Islamic Journey" was recognized by The Daily Reviewer as one of the top 100 Muslim blogs. The Daily Reviewer selects only the world's top blogs (and RSS feeds), sifting through thousands of blogs daily to present the world's best writers. Blogs selected for inclusion are authoritative on their respective niche topics and are widely read. To be included in The Daily Reviewer is a mark of excellence.

In 2010 Ms. Schwartz hit the ground running.

Beginning with the December 2008 illegal Israeli massacre on Gaza, Ms. Schwartz, already actively involved in campaigning to end the embargo on Gaza through extensive writing and in marching against it in Washington, D.C., became more personally involved, petitioning members of the U.S. Congress and President Obama through various projects (see MWA Press Room); work that led to her eventual personal siege breaking journey to Gaza in December 2009. (Video) (Enter GAZA in search box mid-right of this page to learn more.)

On returning from Gaza in January 2010, she was compelled to do more. In support of the reported 700+ students in need of exit visas for pursuit of studies abroad, Ms. Schwartz launched the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' campaign in June 2010 with a press release, open letter to President Obama, online petition drive and posters.

In June 2010 the woman's rights movement in Saudi Arabia resurfaced as guardianship reform, in conjunction with the rights of foreign nationals, once again came to the forefront as King Abdullah of prepared for a June 29 visit to the White House. Ms. Schwartz again lent MWA's support, to demonstrations that took place in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C., and in front of the White House, in association with the Comit'e de Soutien 'a Nathalie Morin,' of Canada, Muslims for Progressive Values and Responsible for Equality, and Liberty (R.E.A.L.), based in Washington, D.C.

"The women of Saudi Arabia continue in pursuit of much needed reform in the Kingdom's existing guardianship laws," stated Ms. Schwartz.

"Many people confuse 'reform' with 'abolish'; the movement is not to dissolve guardianship, it is merely to improve the conditions of women suffering from uneven-handedness and to provide alternative recourse for those not benefiting from the protections that the law is intended to provide," Ms. Schwartz added.

The new year was also marked by participation in International Hijab Awareness Day, an event organized in support of bringing awareness to physical abuse within Muslim communities - commemorated in conjunction with the one-year anniversary marking the tragic beheading of Aasyia Zubair Hassan (1972-2009).

Taking her activism away from the keyboard in the summer of 2010, Ms. Schwartz participated in the the film production of a sequel to the Bridges Foundation project, "The Fog is Lifting", titled "Jihad Against Terrorism", also featuring Imam Suhaib Webb and others. The DVD is scheduled for January 2011 release and should be available online at the Bridges Foundation website, insha'Allah. NEW! View DVD cover here!

To round out the year, Ms. Schwartz was given the opportunity to showcase her organization, Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), through a mini-documentary titled, زمام المبادرة - عائشة شوارتز/Lead the Way - Aishah Schwartz. Produced by iFilms of Cairo, Egypt for Al-Jazeera Arabic TV, the documentary premiered December 1, 2010 (repeated on Wednesday's throughout the month) and is now available on YouTube. The short-film also features MWA member and new author, Rania Marwan, who recently published her first book in a series on Islamic manners for children, "Laila and Pesto the Fly".

When the Egyptian Revolution broke out on 25 January 2011, Ms. Schwartz reported from her home in Egypt and visited Tahrir Square on 8 Feb. 2011 (photos). Cairo's Al-Wafd News Journal covered her visit.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT

THE 2010 MWA PRESS ROOM
and/or the Pre-2010 Press Room

2010-11 ARABIC PRESS

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AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON GAZA

AISHAH SCHWARTZ ON SAUDI ARABIA

THE GAZA CHRONICLES: Muslimah Writers Alliance and Aishah Schwartz on Gaza

Join Muslilmah Writers Alliance in Asking President Obama to Support 'No Gaza Student Left Behind'

Sign the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition Today!

GAZA STUDENTS: Border Crossing Media Double-Talk?

MWA Launches 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Campaign

MWA Welcomes Return of Freedom Flotilla and GFM '09 Delegate David Segarra

Muslimah Writers Alliance Joins D.C. Mobilization Responding to Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla

MWA Joins Jewish Voice For Peace in Condemnation of Israeli Attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla

MWA Joins International Advocates Calling for Safe Passage of Gaza Flotilla Cargo and Crew

Visa Secured: MWA Welcomes U.S. Visit of Palestinian Journalist, Mohammed Omer

MWA IN THE NEWS: U.S. Muslims Back Jewish Candidate's Gaza Stance

MWA Commends Jewish NY U.S. Senate Candidate, Jonathan Tasini on Support of Gaza

MWA Rejects Ideological Exclusion as U.S. Delays Visa of Palestinian Journalist, Mohammed Omer

Rep. Brian Baird's OpenCongress Blog Gives Nod to Gaza Support from International Activist, Aishah Schwartz

MWA Commends Action of 54 U.S. Congressmen in Supporting End of Siege and Embargo on Gaza

GAZA UPDATE: MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz Echoes Baroness jennifer Tonge, "What are we doing to these people?"

VIDEO: Gaza Freedom March December 31, 2009 - Eizbet Abed Rabo to Erez Border Crossing

VIDEO: Aishah Schwartz and Gaza Freedom Delegates in Gaza. Dec. 30, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010.
http://gallery.me.com/angela7dreaming#100047

ARABIC Media Covering Gaza Freedom March Delegate, Aishah Schwartz

Initial report on Four-Day Gaza Siege Breaking Visit of International Activist, Aishah Schwartz

Aishah's Journey Continues...GAZA: Never Forget

MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz Among 100 Chosen to Join Gaza Freedom Solidarity March Departing from Cairo Dec. 29

MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz to Join Gaza Freedom March TODAY!

MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz and Gaza Freedom March Delegates Meet with Cairo's AlWafd Editor-in-Chief, Said Abd El Khalek

Gaza Freedom March Update: Activities in Cairo, Dec. 27, 2009

A Message of Solidarity with the Gaza Freedom March
(Photos taken by Aishah Schwartz)

Egyptian Security Forces Detain Gaza Freedom

Gaza Freedom March Update from Cairo, Egypt and Delegate, Aishah Schwartz

Support the Gaza Freedom March - Send YOUR Letter Today, Insha'Allah!

BBC: NO GAZA OPTIMISM OVER EASING BLOCKADE

BBC: NO GAZA OPTIMISM OVER EASING BLOCKADE

"What about the blockade on people for starters?" - "One-and-a-half million people are trapped in a prison unable to leave."

Don't be duped by reports that students are being allowed to pass through borders!

Read this: GAZA STUDENTS: Gaza Border Crossing Media Double-Talk?

And then sign the petition and send your letter to President Obama today!

Here is MWA'S/my letter!

JUN. 20 Israeli 'internal' investigation result: "The investigation found that under the circumstances the officers acted appropriately..." duh huh...and we expected anything less? NOT...

ISRAELI/MAINSTREAM MEDIA: 'LETHAL WEAPONS DISCLOSED' - Laugh from the bottom of your heart, and don’t let your imagination take you so far...

AND SHARE THIS POST, INSHA'ALLAH!

JUNE 19 OCTOBER WEEKLY: American Activist Aishah Schwartz

IN JUNE 19 ISSUE OF OCTOBER WEEKLY MAGAZINE, CAIRO
American Activist Aishah Schwartz
ON FACEBOOK (w/Photo)

ONLINE (ARABIC)

CORRECTIONS: Congressmen 54 not 65, Delegates 86 not 68, Arrived Egypt 2007 not 2008.

ADDITIONAL ARABIC ARTICLES ON AISHAH'S JOURNEY TO GAZA
AlWafd Article 1, AlWafd Article 2, AlWafd Article 3

ENGLISH Post-Gaza Initial Report

SIGN THE 'NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND' ONLINE PETITION

GAZA STUDENTS: Border Crossing Media Double-Talk?

Today AP included this language in a report titled: Israel agrees to ease Gaza land blockade

"However, Egypt is only letting in people with special travel permits, such as students and Gazans with foreign passports. In the past two weeks, 10,000 Gazans have crossed into Egypt though many more want to leave. A senior Egyptian security official has said the loosened restrictions will remain in place indefinitely."

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A 'SPECIAL TRAVEL PERMIT'? Does this require an embassy visit? And if so, how does a non-permit holding student obtain permission to cross the border to get to an embassy to get a 'special travel permit'?

---------------

THE UK INDEPENDENT 

Published a story on June 12, 2010 indicating the following: "Although Egypt opened the crossing in the wake of the lethal Israeli commando raid on a pro-Palestinian flotilla last week, apparently to escape some of the blame for the closure, it has restricted passage mainly to students with visas to study abroad, serious medical cases, and those with foreign residency or passports." NOTE: "students with visas" - THAT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET TO EITHER CAIRO OR JERUSALEM TO COMPLETE REQUIRED PAPERWORK OR SECURE VISAS.

QUESTION: 'Students WITH visas' - how does a student get a visa in the first place? And if the student does not have the visa but needs to GET OUT to GET the visa, how does the student do that?

---------------

IN THE UK GUARDIAN June 11, 2010

The Egyptian authorities have restricted passage to Gazans who also hold foreign passports, those needing medical treatment and those trying to pursue studies abroad.

QUESTION: 'Those trying to pursue studies abroad' - is a broad statement, it does not specify, are they allowing students who NEED TO OBTAIN VISAS, or restricting it to students who ALREADY HAVE visas, and if they could not get out to get visas in the first place, how is it that any of them have visas??

---------------

BOTTOM LINE: Is the issue of students needing to cross the border to GET VISAS being lost in the double-talk about 'exceptions'?

---------------

LASTLY: All of the above relates to the border crossing at Rafah. What about those who need to pass through Israeli borders to reach embassies in Jerusalem? The border crossing issue may/does not necessarily to students residing in Gaza...

---------------

NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND
Press Release

Also online at Congress.org
Also online at The American Muslim
Also online at MyCrescent
More at Aishah's Journey (enter GAZA in search box on right)
More at Facebook
ALSO CHECK EGYPT'S OCTOBER WEEKLY MAGAZINE (SATURDAY, JUNE 19)

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition 
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition 

HOW TO SEND YOUR LETTER (OR A COPY OF MWA'S LETTER)
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Email: http://www.emailthepresident.com

Sign the Muslimah Writer's Alliance (MWA) 'NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND' Petition Today!

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition
ALTERNATE LINK

http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition

Muslimah Writers Alliance Launches
'No Gaza Student Left Behind'  Campaign
Press Release

Join the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) NO GAZA CHILD LEFT BEHIND Campaign Today!

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition
ALTERNATE LINK

http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition

Muslimah Writers Alliance Launches
'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Campaign
Press Release

Muslimah Writers Alliance Launches 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Campaign

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition

Students of Gaza need your support! Can they count on you to intervene on their behalf in guaranteeing their right to free passage between Israeli and Egyptian borders to secure exit visas needed to fulfill their aspirations for a brighter future?

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MWA-NET) June 15, 2010 - Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) urges all citizens of conscience to support the right of students in Gaza to freely pass through Israeli and Egyptian borders for the purpose of securing exit visas allowing them to pursue scholarship and enrollment opportunities afforded to them by universities abroad.

"As a returning Gaza Freedom March (Dec. 2009-Jan. 2010) delegate, I can speak first hand as to the intelligence and aspirations of students in Gaza. I met them; spoke with them; and carried back in my heart the memory of their smiling faces and bright, hopeful, soul-searching eyes. Let us join together in ensuring that their hopes and dreams are not in vain," stated MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz.

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' petition today via either of two links: http://www.petitiononline.com/4gaza/petition.html or http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition, then deliver a copy of the letter provided below to President Barack Obama (details below). AND PASS IT ON!

To endorse the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' campaign contact MWA: http://biz.prlog.org/mwa-net/contact.html

AN OPEN LETTER TO U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

NO GAZA STUDENT LEFT BEHIND!

June 15, 2010

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-2461
Email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Email: http://www.emailthepresident.com

Re: Supporting Students in Gaza Seeking Exit Visas in Pursuit of Higher Education

Dear President Obama,

The ongoing saga of Gaza scholarship-holding and international university-enrolled students waiting and losing hope of being able to secure exit visas that would allow them to fulfill their educational aspirations, is yet another heartless byproduct of the illegal siege and embargo on Gaza.

In a spring 2008 report, Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit Director, Khalil Shaheen, indicated that nearly 700 students had been unable to pass through either Egyptian or Israeli borders to secure exit visas needed to pursue the dream of a brighter future through educational opportunities offered abroad.

Just over a year ago in an address you made at Egypt's Cairo University you stated, "Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity."

President Obama, you also stated in your January 2009 inaugural speech that without the privilege of having obtained a University education you would not be where you are today.

Now, as a result of the tragic events of May 31, 2010 when the humanitarian mission of the Freedom Flotilla from Turkey was deterred by Israeli gunfire, resulting in 9 fatalities, including one American, we have begun, at long last, to see an ease on the restrictions imposed by the Israeli blockade of Gaza, to include Egypt's opening of the Rafah border crossing to those with special needs, etc.

In a June 14 report European Union (EU) envoy Tony Blair recommended that the flow of humanitarian relief and people with special needs being allowed to pass through Israeli and Egyptian border crossings should be facilitated by the opening of at least one large-scale commercial traffic border.

Additionally, and also on June 14, the otherwise neutral humanitarian agency, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), explicitly stated for the first time that the blockade on Gaza was in violation of international law.

In its five-page report an ICRC spokeswoman stated, "The whole of Gaza's civilian population is being punished for acts for which they bear no responsibility. The closure therefore constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law," including The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, ratified by Israel, banning collective punishment of a civilian population.

But it is not enough. If standing up for the rights of students in Gaza to pursue a higher education cannot be counted as humanitarian relief, then what is?

The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both explicitly confirm the right of all people to freely travel to and from their own state; and guarantees the right of every individual to an education.

Sporadic intervention on behalf of a select few, as was the case in 2008 for a group of Fullbright scholarship hopefuls, is no longer acceptable; the students of Gaza have collectively and unnecessarily suffered long enough.

We call on you Mr. President to intervene on behalf of the students of Gaza, now, while the opportunity is ripe for inclusion of this issue on the current agenda of negotiations where lifting of the embargo on Gaza is concerned.

Students holding legitimate scholarship and university enrollment documentation have a right to guaranteed passage through open border crossings from both Israel and Egypt to secure exit visas to their future; and the future of Palestine.

In delivering your May 2010 University of Michigan commencement speech you stated, "When we don't pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders; when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day; when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that's when democracy breaks down. That's when power is abused. That's when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That's when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of Washington - because none of us are there to speak up and stop them."

So, Mr. President, we the people speak to you now.

It has been a year-and-a-half since your inauguration speech and a year since you addressed the global Muslim community in Cairo, Egypt. And I am sure you are well aware that within that period, as recent reports indicate, there is a sense of disappointment affecting us all.

While the list of options for lifting the embargo on Gaza continues to be ironed out, and humanitarian relief efforts between borders broadens, we hope you will embrace the opportunity to renew the faith placed in you by Muslims world-wide when you were elected as President of the United States.

The students of Gaza need your support. Can they count on you to intervene on their behalf in guaranteeing their right to free passage between Israeli and Egyptian borders to secure the exit visas needed to fulfill their aspirations for a brighter future?

In borrowing from the U.S. education policy otherwise known as, "No Child Left Behind", and in furtherance of the ideals you have previously so eloquently expressed in support of higher education, we implore you today to ensure that, "NO GAZA STUDENT IS LEFT BEHIND."

Sincerely,

SIGN PETITION HERE:
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition
--------------
Aishah Schwartz
Founder & Director
Muslimah Writers Alliance
1808 Eye Street NW, Suite 147
Washington, D.C. 20006

---------------
THE INDEPENDENT published a story on June 12, 2010 indicating the following: "Although Egypt opened the crossing in the wake of the lethal Israeli commando raid on a pro-Palestinian flotilla last week, apparently to escape some of the blame for the closure, it has restricted passage mainly to students with visas to study abroad, serious medical cases, and those with foreign residency or passports." NOTE: "students with visas" - THAT IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET TO EITHER CAIRO OR JERUSALEM TO COMPLETE REQUIRED PAPERWORK OR SECURE VISAS.
---------------

Sign the 'No Gaza Student Left Behind' Petition

Alternate link to Petition
http://tinyurl.com/sign-gaza-student-petition

DOWNLOAD HIGH RESOLUTION CAMPAIGN IMAGES:
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RELATED:
Obama Michigan Graduation Speech - Full Text & Video (May 2010)
Remarks by the President on a new Beginning - Cairo University (June 2009)
Inaugural Address of President Barack Obama (January 2009)

MWA PRESS ROOM