Enrique Brener

AntiZionism is antisemtism. I was told not to attend a Muslim women’s luncheon because of my views on Israel. A friend invited me to attend a luncheon organized by the Muslim Women’s Association of Washington, D.C. I was genuinely interested in attending because the organization was founded in 1960 by Begum Aziz Ahmad, a Pakistani woman and the wife of Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States. According to its own website, the Association began as a cultural-exchange group that brought together Muslim women from different countries, members of the diplomatic community, and non-Muslim American women. It presents itself as a platform where people can connect, learn about one another’s cultures, build relationships, and support the education of Muslim women. Those are values I share. I am a Pakistani American Muslim woman, a faith leader, and the president of an organization committed to interfaith dialogue and bridge-building, and empowering women. I therefore attempted to purchase three tickets to the luncheon, but my payment was not accepted. I subsequently received a telephone call from the Association’s newly elected president, Mona Sadeg, who immeditely informed me that she is Palestinian. During our conversation, she encouraged me not to attend because of my political views and my position on Israel. She told me that she had Googled me and discovered that I identify as a Zionist Muslim. During that conversation, she told me, as I recall it: “Suppose I am the president of the American Palestinian Women’s Association and I go to AIPAC. How would AIPAC look at me? Would they even accept me?” So I guess my going to the Muslim women's luncheon was like Mona Sadeg going to an @AIPAC event. She went on to tell me that she did not want me to attend because she believed I would express my opinions at the luncheon. In other words, I was being silenced @CAIRNational style. She then told me, “I saw your views after October 7.” I replied: “Mona, Israel did not initiate the events of October 7. Hamas attacked Israel, murdered civilians, took hostages, and committed horrific acts of violence. Did you believe Israel would not respond?” I asked her directly whether she believed Hamas had begun the war on October 7. She responded, as I remember it: “They didn’t start the war. The war has been there for almost 80 years.” Yes, Mona, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long and painful history. Palestinians have suffered, and innocent Palestinian civilians deserve dignity, security, opportunity, and peace. Sadly, their own people have kept them hostage for 80 years- Hamas, PA, PLO, and Fateh. But acknowledging that history cannot mean denying or excusing what Hamas did on October 7. The Hamas-led attack triggered the present war, and the United Nations has reported reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, occurred during the attacks. I asked her a fundamental moral question: Did Israeli women and men deserve to be raped, murdered, and kidnapped? Could anyone seriously expect Israel not to respond to those crimes? The conversation continued, but the underlying message became increasingly clear: my perspective was not welcome. She did not want me to attend and express a viewpoint that challenged her own. Eventually, the discussion came down to a sweeping rejection of “Zionists.” She told me that she did not want me sharing Zionist views at the event and repeatedly made references to “Zionist money,” “Zionist this,” and “Zionist that.” I told her plainly: “I am a Zionist because that is what I understand my Quran to teach. You may interpret your faith differently, but you do not have the right to impose your political Islamism and Muslim Brotherhood doctrine on me.” I told her: I am Muslim. I am Pakistani American. I love America, and I believe in Israel’s right to exist. I condemn Hamas terrorism while also believing that Palestinians deserve peace, dignity, responsible leadership, and a hopeful future. I belive in the Abraham Accords as way for peace between the long lost cousins. None of those convictions contradicts the others. This experience raises serious questions for the Muslim Women’s Association of Washington, D.C. Does the organization genuinely welcome Muslim women from different countries and backgrounds? Does it respect freedom of conscience and diversity of thought? Or must women pass an ideological test before they are permitted to attend its cultural and networking events? The Association’s website says that it was established to promote cultural exchange and create opportunities for people to connect. Discouraging a Muslim woman from attending because she holds a different position on Israel appears fundamentally inconsistent with that mission. This is not inclusion. It is viewpoint discrimination and ideological gatekeeping. Muslim women should not be Googled, politically screened, intimidated, or silenced before being allowed into a room. We should not have to surrender our beliefs to participate in cultural, charitable, diplomatic, or professional spaces. I am asking the Association’s board to review this incident and answer several straightforward questions: Was I discouraged from attending with the board’s knowledge? Is agreement with the president’s views on Israel a condition of participation? Are Muslim Zionists prohibited from attending or speaking at the organization’s events? Does the president’s conduct reflect the official policy of this tax-exempt charitable organization? As Muslim women, we frequently speak about discrimination when it is directed at us. We must be equally willing to confront prejudice, exclusion, and intolerance within our own institutions. Pluralism does not mean welcoming only those who agree with us. Bridge-building does not mean inviting women into the room only after ensuring that they will remain silent. True diversity includes diversity of thought. I will not allow anyone to tell me that I must choose between being Muslim, being American, supporting Israel’s right to exist, and supporting peace and dignity for Palestinians. I will not be intimidated into silence, and I will not take this treatment lightly. The Muslim Women’s Association’s board owes its members, supporters, donors, and the wider Washington community a clear explanation. @DHSgov @HarmeetKDhillon @FBIDirectorKash @FBIWFO @ADL_WashDC @WJWeek @washingtonpost @jewishinsider @i24NEWS_EN @DHSgov @JGreenblattADL Organization’s stated history and mission: muslimwomenassociation.org/ @mwadmv #MuslimWomensAssociationDC United Nations report concerning sexual violence during the October 7 attacks: news.un.org/en/story/2024/03…