Assalamu Alaikum my dear brothers and sisters, my dear community members, and dear people of justice and freedom.
I am writing this message to you after a month since I was kidnapped from the street by ICE agents, after a month in my cold underground room in Clay Jail in Indiana, after a month away from the sun, the moon, my mom, my family, my masjid, my community, my friends, and my activism.
As I said before and I repeat: I am not here for a crime or for anything wrong I committed. I am here because I believe, like all of you, in building a strong community to secure the best environment for our children so they can learn how to be strong, just citizens. I am here because I chose to stand with justice and with those who deserve our support, and to defend them, whether in our community or all over the world.
I am here because I stood with all of you, in the streets, at conventions, and in all kinds of gatherings, saying no to the oppressors, no to the genocide against Gaza and Palestine, no to wars, no to the killing of children, no weaponizing immigration for anyone and no to humiliating and discriminating against people.
My dear brothers, sisters, and friends, since the first day I arrived in this jail, I have had a strong belief in Allah; that He will never allow injustice to continue. I relied on my community, other communities, and people of freedom to prove those who want to harm us wrong. They thought that after what they did in Gaza and through the unjust wars they led, we would stop fighting for justice.
They thought that we would give up but they underestimate us. Indeed, you proved them wrong. You took it back to the streets. You continued to organize many events and rallies in Wisconsin, Chicago, Minnesota, Dallas, Michigan, Washington, D.C., and everywhere, demanding justice for all and freedom for all prisoners of conscience. They do not understand that people of justice will never stop until justice prevails.
I am very strong, stronger than before, because, after Allah’s support, your dedication and support of me. I received hundreds of letters from you. At least 350 letters and hundreds of messages, from people of all ages, different faiths, and different groups. This has helped me face these challenges with sabr jamil, a beautiful patience, because of all your words and prayers.
Finally, keep teaching our children values of patience, justice, and respect, and let us never stop supporting those who deserve freedom, those who need our support and prayers.
Freedom for all. Justice for all. Justice for Gaza. Free, free, Palestine.
Salah Sarsour