Rubin Coward, CD’s Post

Today, we join with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in honoring #WorldRefugeeDay and in acknowledging the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. A year into its civil war, Sudan is experiencing the world’s worst displacement crisis. Read about how the international community can mitigate the impact of the war and take steps toward fostering peace: https://lnkd.in/eGGVDgG9

“The diseases of the rational soul are long standing and hardened vices, such as greed and ambition – they have put the soul in a straightjacket and have begun to be permanent evils inside it. To put it briefly, this sickness is an unrelenting distortion of judgement so things that are only mildly desirable are vigorously sought after.” Seneca I appreciate that no-one wants to see children starving to death. But, unless you have been closing your eyes to it, you cannot fail to see the humanitarian crisis developing in Gaza.  All the aid agencies have been clear that effective humanitarian aid can only be delivered under a lasting ceasefire. Which might make you wonder why America has chosen to veto votes for a ceasefire at the UN Security Council on three occasions before finally submitting their own flawed Resolution. AIPAC Have a look at the loudest American political voices in support of Israel and then have a look at who AIPAC gives money to. Always follow the money. Which brings me back to something I seem to be saying far too often. Leading authentically is hard work. Leadership must first be addressed at the personal level. To paraphrase Gandhi, “Be the leader you want to see in the world.” It is apparent that many leaders at the top today missed this point and went after position, prestige, power, and wealth instead. 2000 years on and those in power are still having their judgement distorted by greed. #unbeatablemind #mindsetcoach #stoicism #stoicphilosophy

I am aware of the risks of posting about systemic racism and colonialism on social media. And yet, not speaking up feels more and more wrong. And it feels wrong to post about climate breakdown, biodiversity loss or regenerative culture - and stay silent where the same underlying logic fuels wars and dehumanisation. As I'm trying to digest the news of election results in Europe (with a neo-nazi party emerging as strongest force in this part of Germany), what I am reading about Gaza this morning hits me even more viscerally. Almost 300 (Palestinian) humans are killed in yet another massacre by the Israeli army, bombing a crowded refugee camp with war planes and helicopters. Just like that. To free 4 (Israeli) humans. The latter captives well-nourished and healthy - while hundreds of thousands of children in the area are intentionally starved and while thousands of (Palestinian) captives are subjected to gruesome torture. I hardly feel angry any more, just broken and terribly sad. How can so many human lives be destroyed like this, with hardly more than a shrug? It can only happen if those killed are denied their humanity.* And the operation continues, with most Western governments, like my own, supplying weapons, money or political support. Maybe what's most painful is to realise how I, myself, am entangled in the deeply rooted racist and colonial logic of this entire system. How I have absorbed its conditioning in my thinking and feeling, and mostly been blind to that. Including in my work on climate change (how I approached it, how I separated it from social issues). All of that would be too much for one post. For now I just wanted to break my own silence. (*I am writing this without wanting to deny atrocities committed by fighters on both sides, in an endless cycle of violence and collective trauma.) https://lnkd.in/e9dhkkwv

The ongoing conflict in Palestine requires urgent attention from the international community, particularly Muslim-majority nations. The situation is dire, with escalating tensions and ongoing Israeli violence against Palestinians leading to significant casualties of children and injured persons and widespread suffering. Muslim countries must address the plight of Palestinians, and the silence of the international community, especially Muslim nations, is alarming. These countries are key players in the region and must actively pursue a peaceful resolution that upholds Palestinian rights and dignity. A key role for Muslim nations is to leverage their diplomatic influence to advocate for a just and enduring solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while strongly condemning Israeli brutality in Palestine. Moreover, providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians affected by the conflict is essential. This aid should include vital supplies such as medicines, food, and relief goods, as well as the reconstruction of infrastructure in Gaza and other affected Palestinian territories. Immediate action and solidarity from Muslim nations are imperative in the current Palestinian crisis. By fulfilling their responsibilities and actively engaging in peace-building efforts, these nations can significantly contribute to resolving the conflict and securing a brighter future for the Palestinian people. I think it is our moral duty to talk about Palestine. I did my duty. Did you do your duty?

nowhere is safe in Gaza

Genocide in Gaza: A Call for Muslim Leadership to Act 1. The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Innocent civilians, including women and children, are being targeted in large-scale attacks. The blockade and relentless airstrikes have created a humanitarian catastrophe. Essential services like healthcare, water, and electricity are on the brink of collapse. 2. The Silence of Muslim Leadership Many Muslim leaders remain hesitant to condemn the atrocities forcefully. Lack of unity among Muslim nations weakens the collective response. This silence emboldens aggressors and disheartens the oppressed. 3. The Responsibility of Muslim Leaders Uphold the principles of justice and humanity mandated by Islam. Use diplomatic and economic pressure to influence international decisions. Mobilize global support through platforms like the OIC, UN, and regional forums. 4. Conveying a Warning to Stop the Violence A unified declaration condemning the aggression and demanding an immediate ceasefire. Threaten to cut off ties with nations supporting oppression. Demand international war crime investigations against perpetrators. 5. Providing Immediate Aid to Gaza Open humanitarian corridors for urgent medical and food supplies. Allocate funds to rebuild essential infrastructure and support displaced families. Encourage NGOs and relief organizations to focus on Gaza’s needs. 6. Strengthening Global Muslim Unity Convene an emergency summit of all Muslim nations to discuss a united strategy. Emphasize that injustice in Gaza is not just a regional issue but a matter of faith and global morality. Ensure long-term support for oppressed Palestinians through economic, social, and political measures. Conclusion Muslim leaders must rise above political and ideological differences to defend the oppressed in Gaza. History will judge their actions—or inaction—in this moment of crisis. Let this be a turning point for justice, unity, and the protection of human rights.

Debate: New MENA-strategy risks damaging Sweden’s credibility The Swedish government’s new strategy for the Middle East and North Africa is misguided when it equates Islamism with extremism. It is also misguided, when it does not mention the word occupation in relation to Palestine and when it puts Sweden’s interests before the needs of the recipient countries. The risk is that the new strategy for development cooperation will instead damage Sweden’s credibility in the region, writes Martin Nihlgård and Eman Siam from the organisation IM Swedish Development Partner.

In 2023, the US gave more than $422 million to UNRWA. In 2024, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are, collectively, providing $85 million. The question every policymaker and engaged citizen should be asking is: Why the enormous disparity? Why won't the Arab states help out their fellow Arab Palestinians? For all the talk at the UN and in other international forums of solidarity with the Palestinian people, when push comes to shove, the Arab states always come up short and it is often the American taxpayer left footing the bill. This story is not just about UNRWA. There are 22 countries in the Arab League. Why aren't any calling for Palestinian civilians to flee the Gaza Strip as refugees? Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over six million Ukrainians have fled into neighboring European states. Since Israel's response to Hamas' attack on October 7th, not one Palestinian of the 2.2 million in Gaza has been allowed to flee to Egypt and other Arab countries. And no country (Arab, Muslim or otherwise) is pressuring Egypt to let them out. Instead, all of the international condemnation, pressure and responsibility (including from the US) is directed at Israel. Why is this? What do these Arab leaders know that the rest of the world doesn't? The short answer is that Palestinian society is highly radicalized. A recent poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) found that 71% of Palestinians support Hamas' attack on October 7th. And why is this the case? In a word: UNRWA. In a sentence: the infantilization of the Palestinian people by Western leaders. But the longer answer has to do with the history and purpose of the Palestinian national movement, the meaning of Israel and the future of the Middle East. DM me for more information and speaking engagements.

The European Union leaders called for an "immediate" humanitarian pause in #Gaza that would lead to a ceasefire. Without even mentioning Israel's concerns. Nothing about Hamas-ISIS stealing the humanitarian aid which Israel enters Gaza and is supposed to be free, but they sell it to the Arabs in Gaza 10 X overpriced😡. Nothing about eliminating Hamas so they can NEVER do again what they did on October 7th, which they promise to do over and over again😡. No word about Hamas-ISIS using their own people, who elected them, and according to recent polls,still support their actions, for their own radical Islamic cause, which stem from the Muslim Brotherhood😡. Nothing about how Hamas-ISIS still holds 134 hostages (from whom 34 are reported killed by Hamas-ISIS) in the terr0r tunnels, and we know the women are being abused daily😡 Not a word about Hamas-ISIS hiding in Shiffa hospital, dressed like civilians, fighting and executing crimes against humanity from inside the hospital, where millions of Shekels were found and addressed to the October 7 invaders to Israel, who did the unspoken atrocities against innocent people, with thank you notes for a job well done😡 Finally, nothing about what those numbers of casualties, reported by the health administration of Gaza (which is the governing body= which is HamasISIS) include. How many of those 30,000 allegedly reported dead, are the Hamas-ISIS TERR0Ri5TS, which Israel is after? And how come the so called “Palestinians” are not uprising against them 🤔🤔🤔if they are not a part of them😡? They just don't care. Israel survived for thousands of years (way before the invention of a made-up nation called the Palestinians) and will survive this too🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 With or without you, Am Israel Chai‼️🕎 #bringthemhomenow

“Stand with us, listen to us, believe in us” – A Call for #Peace in #Sudan 🌍   Earlier this week, during the 79th Session of the #UNGA, our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow Nisreen Elsaim passionately appealed to the global community for urgent action in Sudan. Addressing world leaders, Elsaim, a Sudanese climate and peace activist, highlighted the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict that has displaced millions and left many in dire conditions. The gathering, co-hosted by several international organizations and countries, focused on the escalating #humanitariancrisis and the urgent need for peace in Sudan.   Here are some key takeaways from the event:   📌 "A human tragedy beyond borders." Over 26 million Sudanese face severe food insecurity, with #famine confirmed in parts of the country. The conflict continues to displace millions, and the consequences of inaction will ripple far beyond Sudan’s borders.   📌 "Young voices at the forefront." Despite the chaos, Sudanese youth are tirelessly supporting war victims through grassroots initiatives, embodying resilience and hope for a peaceful future.   📌 "#Climatecrisis adds fuel to the fire." Climate challenges, including floods and displacement, are exacerbating the already dire situation, calling for a unified global response to support both conflict and climate victims.   📌 "Global responsibility and delayed support." The slow international response has worsened the crisis, leaving Sudan’s transitional government without necessary backing and costing countless lives and futures.   📌 "The power of peace." Elsaim’s powerful plea was echoed by leaders, who agreed that while humanitarian aid is critical, political action is needed to silence the weapons and bring lasting peace to Sudan.   #SudanCrisis #HumanitarianAid #Peace #YouthVoices You can watch Nisreen's speech here (42:10 - 50:46) 👉 https://lnkd.in/dp92GTSc Robert Bosch Stiftung