[Photo: Reuters]

In a dire humanitarian crisis, reports reveal that over half a million Palestinians teeter on the brink of starvation amidst severe food shortages and widespread hunger. Tragically, up to 21,000 children are missing in Gaza, with many feared dead or trapped under rubble, highlighting the harrowing toll of war, including violence and detention.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights group in the US, calls for immediate international intervention and accountability, condemning the Biden administration’s support for Israeli actions in Gaza, citing humanitarian catastrophe and genocide.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said: “One has to question whether the Biden administration has a shred of humanity left.”

CAIR has been vocal about condemning the mass slaughter of Palestinian children and demanding international action.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Kimberly Syuardi from CAIR expressed dismay over the use of US tax dollars to support ongoing military aid to Israel, which continues under the Biden administration. “We are trying to emphasise the moral and ethical responsibility to protect innocent lives. We must confront the Biden administration to call for a permanent ceasefire,” she said.

She pointed out that much of the work CAIR does underscores the critical role of the US in this issue. “We are urging the American government to reassess its support for the Israeli government and to advocate for the protection of human rights in Palestine to prevent further loss of life,” she said.

According to Syuardi, US public opinion has drastically changed since October 7.

“Working with like-minded organisations and the younger generation has such an influence on public policy, and with the unfolding encampments at the universities for example, we have seen the youth’s impact on influencing our senate, congressmen and government in the US,” she said.

CAIR supports students in speaking up, exercising their First Amendment rights, and protecting themselves during protests.

Efforts have been made to educate local community members and youth about their voting rights and how Congress works, especially with the upcoming 2024 elections, seen as pivotal for the US political landscape. “We are really trying to remind the community how negatively impactful it is when we don’t vote,” she added.

Ongoing hostilities are severely hampering efforts to collect accurate data and deliver essential aid. “We are urging the removal of the blockade on a lot of the main entrances in Palestine to allow for humanitarian aid to reach those in need,” she said.

Syuardi highlighted that CAIR actively counters misinformation about Palestine and the broader situation by holding those responsible for spreading it accountable.

Currently, CAIR National has implemented a system to report misinformation, hate incidents, and hate crimes, addressing issues not only related to Palestine but also affecting American Muslims. “This is a public portal online where individuals can report misinformation being spread to the state of Maryland or any anti-muslim or anti-minority hate crimes, and this has been very effective in getting to the right departments at local and state government levels,” Syuardi explained.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and CAIR Maryland Coordinator, Kimberly Syuardi, here.