Islamic Organization of North America

The introduction between Imam Elturk and Councilman Tate was facilitated by Rev. Stancy Adams, Chair of the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit (IFLC), where Imam Elturk previously served as treasurer for several years.

Councilman Tate, who has been faithfully serving the city of Detroit as a council member since 2009, expressed a keen interest in gaining insights from a Muslim leader regarding the events and conflicts in Gaza. It was noted that he had already engaged with Jewish leaders to understand their perspectives.

During the meeting, Imam Elturk shared a comprehensive slide presentation originally prepared for a lecture at his mosque, titled “The Plight of the Palestinians.” The presentation delved into the historical background of the Zionist movement, the Balfour Declaration in 1917, the British mandate, the Nakba of 1948, the 1967 Six-Day War with Arab states, and the first and second Intifadas, providing a historical context for the recent crisis in the Holy Land. Emphasizing that the crisis has deep roots spanning decades. Imam Elturk highlighted occupation and oppression as the root cause of the ongoing violence.

Mr. Tate inquired about the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” seeking clarification on its various interpretations. Imam Elturk offered insights into the diverse perspectives associated with the slogan including the concept of a one democratic state.