Thousands attended Annual Convention of Palestinians in Chicago

Annual conventions included several informative seminars related to critical issues Palestinian’s face in Palestine and around the world. Convention held recently in last weekend in Chicago Suburbs after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 14th Palestinian Convention was the largest event hosted by the American Muslims for Palestine on Nov. 25 – 27, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at O'Hare Airport area in Chicago, Illinois.

Each year during Thanksgiving weekend in Chicago, AMP holds its annual convention for Palestine in the US, the largest gathering for Palestine solidarity activists in the country. Each year, thousands of Muslims, mostly Arab, Palestine and Pakistan came to Chicago for Convention But large numbers of Americans also attended. Many attendees came with the entire family.

The theme of this convention was "On the Road to Free Palestine," they uplifted and raised all the Palestinian rights success stories that have occurred since our last time gathering, even as we continue to mourn the Palestinians killed in the latest Israeli massacre in Gaza in May, and to fight against the colonial expansion emptying our homes and filling them with colonizers in East Jerusalem and all of Palestine.

The aim of the Convention was to educate, raise awareness, empower, confront bias, misinformation, and Provide the truth about Palestine.

Convention activities included attending several convention sessions where audiences were inspired by motivational speakers such as the Leaders and motivational speakers. Around 100 motivational speakers gathered to discuss the Palestinian issue.

This year's speakers included an impressive list of world-renowned scholars and speakers such as Nihad Awad (National Executive Director, CAIR), Lesley Williams, Sheikh Hassan Aly, Imam Omar Suleiman, Enes Yalman, Lamis Deek, Osama Abuirshad, Khalid Turaani, Dr. Nida Sahouri, Ahmad Abuznaid, Arshia Ali-Khan, Jennifer Bing, Taher Herzallah, Miriam Alammuri, Ahmad Abuznaid, Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, Sheikh Ziad Hamdan, Mohamed Elkurd, Rebekah Levin, Oussama Jammal, Tal Friedman, Ayah Chehade, Zahra Billoo, Mohamad Habehh , Paula Roderick, Linda Sarsour and many others. Speakers Highlighted the issue of Human rights and international humanitarian law, State of Palestine, Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Land, Legal issues, living conditions, Middle East situation Israeli government of using disproportionate force and indiscriminately bombing densely populated civilian areas in Gaza and several others.

Many speakers called on the international community to increase the pressure on Israel to end its decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories, and to implement all United Nations resolutions, including the right of return and the right to self-determination for Palestinians.

Speakers encouraged the audience and demanded the US government including congress and senate We need fair and balanced foreign policy in the Middle East.

Convention hosts film screenings, book signings, a Campus Activism track, youth and young adult programs and a children's school as well as a vibrant bazaar, full of Palestinian and Islamic treasures.

A bazaar was also located in the convention center right sides the hall and was brimming with vendors who had set up their stalls to sell jewelry, Pakistani and Arabic clothes, Islamic artwork, books, Islamic clothing, non-alcoholic perfume, Publishers selling Quranic translations and commentary in dozens of languages and vendors distributing brightly colored head scarves and abaya.

The last segment was musical entertainment, where several renown performers performed including Palestinian artist Haitham Khalaily, Kefah Zreeqy, Palestinian comedian Mohamad El Attar, known on social media as That Muslim Guy. Hundreds of fans thronged during entertainment performance