Houston Iftar Faces Boycott by Muslim Leaders in Solidarity with Gaza
They are urging the event's organizers to withdraw the invitation to Mayor John Whitmire, who is slated to be the keynote speaker. The boycott stems from dissatisfaction with the mayor and other city officials' lack of action regarding the war in Gaza where more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since October 7.
The Houston Iftar is set to take place this Sunday at the Bayou City Event Center.
The call for a boycott was formalized through an open letter signed by over 40 Muslim leaders and organizations, including the Muslims United Political Action Committee and the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Houston Chapter, Axios reported on Friday.
The letter criticizes the organizers for extending invitations to officials who have not advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza, claiming this tacitly endorses their silence and hampers reconciliation efforts.
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Despite the controversy, Mayor Whitmire is expected to attend the iftar. His spokesperson has expressed the mayor's intention to be a "unifying presence" at the dinner.
Several organizations, such as CAIR-Houston, which has been a regular attendee and often chaired the organizing committee, have withdrawn their participation.
Al Noor Masjid, a founding member of the event, and the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, a major Islamic organization, have also opted out of this year's iftar.
Similarly, inquiries regarding the mayor's stance on a ceasefire have not been addressed. Mayor Whitmire has previously expressed support for the Israeli regime and has plans to lead a delegation to the country.
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The boycott comes at a time when the city council and mayor are facing calls to advocate for a ceasefire amid the occupation regime’s military onslaught in Gaza, which coincide with Ramadan.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with United Nations officials reporting that a significant portion of the population is on the brink of famine.
The Houston Iftar is recognized as one of the largest events of its kind in the nation, with last year's attendance reaching approximately 2,300 people.
Source: Agencies
