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For the past month, the world has watched in sick fascination the latest reality series — the war on Lebanon. The kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hizbullah fighters was met with the systematic destruction of Lebanon. And while the world's attention was focused on Lebanon, the terror campaign in Gaza continued. As the Israelis quenched their summer thirst with overt aggression, the Lebanese and Palestinians quenched theirs with tears. And elsewhere, the world quenched its thirst with the ubiquitous soft drink, Coca Cola.
Mothers, as you lovingly bathe your babies with Johnson & Johnson products, think of the Palestinian babies who died from Israeli bullets — courtesy of J & J, who support Israel.
Next time we pop a Nestle's candy in our mouth, let us savor the taste of the pain of those who are oppressed by Israel, of those whose land was taken from them, of those who will never taste the olives they so lovingly grew.
As we proudly wear our designer labels, let us ashamedly wear the bitter cloak of betrayal. For yes, we are betraying those who are oppressed by Israel by clothing ourselves in designer labels and often strutting with the same arrogance of the oppressors.
How does Israel get its funds? It enriches itself economically by companies who invest heavily in it and support its growth.
And how do these companies gain the wealth with which to empower Israel? By us, the willing consumers! We buy their products that support the destruction of Palestine. We buy their products that enable Israel to grow in strength. And when we are asked to boycott these products, we sigh and say, "But it is so difficult. We have no choice. There are no alternative products for us to buy. Or if there are, they are not of the same quality."
Is this what matters? Our greedy stomachs and our love for consumerism? We say we care, but do we really? If we can't do without a soft drink or a chocolate, how will we survive if we ever have to undergo hardship? We say we want to help but don't know how. Well, this is how we can help. Boycott Israel by boycotting the companies that invest in Israel.
As Muslims, we are meant to care more for what is happening. We are meant to protest more and use our right to boycott as an effective weapon. As a case in point, let us look at Greenpeace, which is active in many areas of life.
A volunteer for Greenpeace, Mo'azza Saley, related this story. Every beginner is given a discourse on which products not to support. One day some time ago, she bought a Kit Kat on her break. Her team leader went to her and said, "What are you doing?" She jokingly replied, "Have a break, have a Kit Kat." He wasn't pleased. Why not? Because Nestle aggressively markets baby formula, thereby discouraging breastfeeding. Babies starve because their mothers can't afford the formula, or they die of diarrhea because the formula is mixed with non-sterile water.
Greenpeace is against this on humanitarian grounds, and thus boycotts Nestle. What about us Muslims? Israel and America are doing everything in their power to weaken the Muslim world. Do we care?
Perhaps, despite our efforts, the oppression continues. Palestine has suffered for many, many years, but this is no excuse to say we are not making a difference. It is difficult for us to perceive the extent of the effect of our actions and effort, but rest assured that every effort counts and that we are making a difference. If we all stand together, the effect will be more profound.
It's important we don't ever forget. It's easy to become complacent and be seduced by the consumerist culture. Let this be our jihad. Let us strive in our efforts to speak out against oppression. Let us not fail in our duty toward our brothers and sisters. Let us boycott Israel.
See this link for a list of companies and products that fall under the boycott:
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