|
Belal Abu Khdeir holds his cousin Muhammed in his arms during a visit to the
village of Shufat, Palestine last year. (Family photo)
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/03/6531942/sacramento-relatives-of-slain.html#storylink=cpy
(SACRAMENTO, CA, 7/3/14) - This evening, the California relatives of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir, who was abducted and killed near his home in Jerusalem on Wednesday, will receive condolences and hold a memorial service at SALAM Center in Sacramento. [NOTE: It is an Islamic tradition for relatives of the deceased to receive visitors who offer condolences for their loss. The condolences and memorial service will be followed by the traditional Ramadan fast-breaking meal (iftar) and prayers.] Palestinians believe the teen was killed in revenge for the deaths of three kidnapped Israelis who were buried just hours before Abu Khdeir's abduction. Representatives of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SV) and the interfaith community will join the Abu Khdeir family as they receive condolences and call for peace and justice in the Holy Land. "Tragedy after tragedy, my message to the community has been clear: No children on either side should suffer in this conflict," CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra told the Sacramento Bee. "This Ramadan, we're encouraging everyone to increase their prayers for peace in the holy land." CAIR-SV: Sacramento Relatives of Slain Palestinian Teen Say He Didn't Deserve to Be Targeted in Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Sacramento Bee) http://www.sacbee.com/2014/07/03/6531942/sacramento-relatives-of-slain.html WHAT: Memorial Service for Slain Palestinian Teen WHEN: July 3rd, 2014 7:30 p.m. - Family Begins Receiving Condolences 8 p.m. - Memorial Service Begins 8:30 p.m. - Breaking of Ramadan Fast (Iftar Meal) and Prayer Service WHERE: SALAM Center, 4541 College Oak Dr, Sacramento, CA 95841 CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, [email protected] Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam. CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. - END - CONTACT: CAIR-SV Executive Director Basim Elkarra, 916.441.6269, [email protected]; CAIR-SV Communications Coordinator Maheen Ahmed, 916.605.6099, [email protected] | 
