Understanding Palestine means confronting colonial injustice
“If you don't understand who you are and your history, somebody else will write it for you.”
Understanding Palestine requires recognizing a centuries-long history of colonial violence and epistemic domination, then responding through historical awareness, principled justice, practical work, unity, and hope.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces epistemic colonialism and connects Columbus's Jerusalem ambitions to Palestine.
- Traces colonial violence from the expulsion from Spain through the Americas, enslavement, India, and British Palestine.
- Argues that Eurocentric knowledge systems erase other civilizations and shape Muslim misunderstandings.
- Rejects claims that Palestinians deserve their suffering and emphasizes confronting injustice with justice.
- Explains how colonial powers manipulate religious divisions, resources, borders, and arms sales.
- Concludes with four directives: study history, remain principled, do useful work, and maintain hope.
In the khateeb's words
“If you don't understand who you are and your history, somebody else will write it for you.”
“Third, we have to continue to do our work. Palestine is not only Palestinian. Everyone has a role to play.”
“We're people of hope. We're not people of losing hope and sitting and saying we can't do anything. No, do work. Go out and be optimistic.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah asks us to see Palestine within a long history of colonialism, beginning with the speaker's account of Columbus's religious and political ambitions. It says powerful countries have shaped not only land and resources but also the stories people are taught about history and civilization. Muslims are urged to learn their own history, stay fair even when confronting injustice, and do useful work in whatever capacity they can. The message ends with hope: we should keep building, serving, praying, and working for a better world while preparing for the hereafter.
- What part of our family, community, or Muslim history would you like to learn more about?
- What helpful action could you take this week instead of only talking about a problem?
- What does being hopeful look like when something difficult is happening?
More on the ummah & current events
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