 MAKE DU‘A’ (A PRAYER) – 5 MINUTES DAILY

O Allah, improve the state of the Ummah (nation) of Muhammad (saws); O Allah, grant ease to the Ummah Muhammad (saws); O Allah, have mercy on the Ummah of Muhhamad (saws).

O Allah ease the pain and suffering of the people of Gaza; O Allah, grant them steadfastness and patience; O Allah, make their hearts firm and strong; O Allah, save the people of Gaza.

 PRAY TAHAJJUD (NIGHT PRAYERS)

“Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change that which is within themselves.” (The Holy Qur’an 13:11)

In order for any of our actions be effective, they must be blessed by and accepted by Allah. We can only achieve this by drawing nearer to Him through acts of worship and abstaining from prohibited acts.

1. Make sure to sleep and wake up between ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayers.

2. Make your wudu’, clear your mind and prepare for your prayer.

3. Make your intention to perform 2 rak‘ahs of Tahajjud prayer.

4. During your sujud (prostrations), recite a du‘a’ for those suffering in Gaza [see above for examples].

5. Can be repeated up to 8 rak‘ahs (4 sets of 2 rak‘ahs).

 FAST MONDAY AND/OR THURSDAY

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (saws) would fast Mondays and Thursdays. When he was asked about this, he said, “The deeds of people are presented to Allah (swt) on every Monday and Thursday. Allah (swt) forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other.”

 CALL A RESIDENT OF GAZA

Call a random number in Gaza. Tell them that you are calling from North America, make Duaa for them and tell them all their brothers and sisters around the world are with them. This will give them moral support and courage. How to call:

Replace last 4 digits with random ones.

(011) 972-8284-XXXX

(011) 972-8282-XXXX

(011) 972-8255-XXXX

Try 4 or 5 times and you’ll reach a family insha’Allah! Even if you don’t speak Arabic, use slow and simple English.

 TALK TO A NEIGHBOR AND/OR CO-WORKER

Educate your co-workers, friends, and neighbors about the situation in Gaza; let them know why this is important to you. Often times, people trust information from a source they know and are more likely to share this information on with others.

For talking points:

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=29449

 ATTEND A DEMONSTRATION

For protest dates/ times/ locations: www.answerla.org

 CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS

President-Elect Barack Obama: http://change.gov/page/content/contact/

Senator Barbara Boxer: (202) 224-3553

Senator Dianne Feinstein: (202) 224-3841

Locate your U.S. Representative:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

 WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

New York Times: letters@nytimes.com
Los Angeles Times: letters@latimes.com
Washington Post: letters@washpost.com
Chicago Tribune: ctc-tribletter@tribune.com

Orange County Register: letters@ocregister.com

Time Magazine: letters@time.com

Newsweek Magazine: letters@newsweek.com

 SIGN AN ONLINE PETITION

Avaaz: http://www.avaaz.org/en/gaza_time_for_peace/

CAIR: http://petition.cair.com/Default.aspx

IAC: http://www.iacenter.org/gazapetition/

 DONATE TO RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS

Islamic Relief: www.irw.org

LIFE for Relief & Development: www.lifeusa.org

KinderUSA: www.kinderusa.org