Below are suggested steps that all of us can take, individually or collectively to lend our support to the Palestine struggle.

Each of the items below is an AREA of action. It is not a specific action itself. HOW you take that action is up to you.

• Some actions you can take by yourself right now. Others you will need to work in teams.
• Be creative, be bold. Work with others.
• Follow the lead of credible and experienced organisers that have a track record in serving the Palestine cause.
• Work within whatever sphere of influence you have. If you can lobby your local council, do that. If you can get your university to divest, do that. If you can counter Israeli hasbara on twitter, do that.

Take any action so long as it is sincere for Allah, empowers the resistance, undermines the oppressors and abides by islamic values.

1) CHOOSE YOUR SIDE
The absolute minimum is to commit yourself to supporting the struggle – publicly where possible. *It is simply not acceptable to remain ‘neutral’ or ‘silent’*. Silence at times like this means passive support to the aggressors.

2) FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY
Make sure you rely on authentic sources. Prioritise updates from the resistance, then the updates from the people of Gaza and al-Quds who are living there, then the updates of those who have a track record in supporting the Palestine struggle. Promote those sources. Be careful not to share disinformation and misinformation.

3) SPREAD AWARENESS, PUSH THE RIGHT NARRATIVE
This is one of the simplest yet most effective things that can be done from your phone or laptop.
Firstly, amplify the message of the resistance. Study the updates that are posted from across the range of resistance activism in Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and beyond. Promote their channels and accounts. Take the key talking points and inform your public engagement using those.
Secondly, counter Israeli propaganda – always use accurate descriptions such as ‘apartheid’, ‘military occupation’, ‘settler colonialism’ and ‘ethnic cleansing’ to describe Israel. Expose those who use ‘both side-ism’ and those who deny Palestinians their right to self defence. Avoid making comparisons with Nazi’s.

4) EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION
It is now 73 years since the Nakba. Only Allah knows when Aqsa will be liberated so we must not neglect the upbringing of the next generation. The importance of Al-Aqsa, Palestine and Shaam should be embedded into curricula of schools and mosques. At home, children should be raised wanting to liberate Aqsa just like they are raised wanting to go to Hajj.

5) BOYCOTT THE ENABLERS OF ISRAEL
Live a life that is ethical and loyal to your brothers and sisters in Palestine. Never knowingly buy from a company that supports Israel. Boycott companies that profit from oppression. Promote the boycott lists issued by credible and experienced organisations such as BDS and FOA.

6) ATTEND RALLIES
Attend rallies to show solidarity to the struggle. The people of Palestine see this, they appreciate it. It makes a difference when they know they are not alone. Go to protests to create popular pressure on those governments that support Israel. Make it difficult for them to maintain public support to Israel.

7) GIVE CHARITY
Send sadaqah through credible aid organisations that have a track record in supporting Palestinians and who have publicly sided with the struggle. Prioritise supporting the families of the shuhadaa.

8) VISIT AQSA, VISIT GAZA
Make preparations to go and visit al-Aqsa. This will be a powerful act of solidarity and it will form deep connections with the people and the masjid. Consider visiting Gaza also.

9) INVOKE ALLAH
After every salah make du’a for the protection of Aqsa and for the success of the muslim struggle in Palestine. Do qunoot and encourage your imam to do so. Do qiyamul-layl and ask Allah to grant victory. Du’a is a powerful weapon of the believer.

10) USE THIS MOMENT TO ATTAIN CLARITY

• Note those that claim to be Muslim, yet betray Palestine and Aqsa. They are traitors to Islam. Note those who talk of human rights, yet betray Palestine. They are hypocrites who believe some humans are more important than others.
• Note those Muslims in public life that have public platforms yet remain silent on Palestine. Learn who the hypocrites and cowards amongst us are.
• Note those who promote the Palestine struggle, yet deny the rights of human beings in other places. They side with tyrants and oppressors that harm innocent people such as Muslims in East Turkistan, or Syria or Afghanistan. Welcome their support, but be wary of them and call them out too.
• Note those who promote the Palestine struggle, yet deny the rights of Allah and His Prophet ﷺ. They may be secularists or nationalists. Welcome their narrow contribution to this struggle but be mindful, they are following a path that is confused.

ADOPT THE RIGHT MINDSET
Even, before we take action, we need to adopt the right mindset: Don’t place any hope in the international system or in any nation state (Western or Arab or eastern) to provide a solution to the problem. Allah is the source of all ability. Victory is secured when Allah is on our side. Allah promises to empower those that fight in His name and abide by His commands and depend on Him alone. After relying on Allah, the solution will be by the Palestinian people succeeding in their liberation struggle through direct confrontation with the apartheid state. It will also be supported by the worlds people, muslims especially, providing every practical support to this struggle from outside. No one will come to rescue the brave people of Palestinian. They do not need anyone to rescue them, they need us to empower their struggle through public solidarity and practical support.

DON’T BE EMOTIONAL, BE CONSISTENT
Our people in Palestine have been steadfastly holding onto their land and resisting occupation for decades now. They have been defending al-Quds and masjid al-Aqsa on our behalf. Are we going to forget them when the news stories disappear from our screens?

The Israeli’s are counting on us becoming tired and getting diverted by dunya eventually. So maintain the momentum and keep up the actions – whether that be sadaqah, awareness, boycott or protests. We have to make sure it is continued and not just a one off to make ourselves feel good, or to ride the wave of hype.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THESE IDEAS?

You can take these ideas and implement them individually from today. Do as much as you can. You can promote the same amongst family, friends and associates.

You can also form projects that support any of these ideas. Come up with a project idea aligned to any of the above, or support an existing one. Utilise existing organisations around you.

May Allah bless

Muhammad Rabbani

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Muhammad Rabbani is the managing director of Muslim advocacy and campaign group CAGE.