Diverse Faith-based and Social Justice-Focused Organizations Will Fundraise for Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine Through Art-Focused Fundraiser
Solidarity Souk at Fitz Books and Waffles on Ellicott Street on April 26, 2024 from 6 to 9 pm.
Diverse faith-based and social-justice-focused organizations from across New York State are collaborating with a Buffalo, NY independent bookstore owner and North America’s largest Muslim medical organization to raise money for humanitarian aid for Palestine through the Solidarity Souk, an art-focused fundraiser.
Aaron Bartley will host the Solidarity Souk at Fitz Books and Waffles on Ellicott Street on April 26, 2024 from 6 to 9 pm. Minimum suggested admission is $10 per person. Tickets are available at www.imana.org/solidarity-souk. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary watermelon mocktail. “Souk” is an Arabic word meaning “market” or “bazaar,” and the Solidarity Souk will be an art-focused market-style event. Items for sale will include: original artworks and handicrafts in various media ($20 and up); fine jewelry, costume jewelry, and other accessories ($8 and up); and useful and decorative housewares and homewares ($5 and up). Most items will be for sale with a fixed price; a few items will be sold through silent auction. The event beneficiary is Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA), which has been serving Gaza since 2009 and has been successfully continuing to serve Gazans through March 2024.
The Solidarity Souk is endorsed and/or sponsored by:
Muslim Public Affairs Council of Western New York (MPAC-WNY) (endorser and sponsor)
Jewish Voice for Peace – Buffalo (endorser and sponsor)
Christian Peace Collective of Western New York (CPCWNY) (endorser and sponsor)
Citizen Action of New York - Buffalo (endorser and sponsor)
Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ (endorser and sponsor)
Aaron Bartley, owner of Fitz Books and Waffles (sponsor)
Heather Squire (sponsor)
Roger Cook (sponsor)
Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) (endorser)
Gaza on Main (endorser)
Islamic Society of Niagara Frontier (endorser)
Jewish Voice for Peace – University of Rochester (endorser)
Jewish Voice for Peace – Rochester (endorser)
Showing Up for Racial Justice – Buffalo (endorser)
Allies Against Apartheid (endorser)
Peace Action New York State (endorser)
“As Americans, the Solidarity Souk is one of the ways we show our solidarity with Palestinians for their dignity, their human rights, and their birthright to an independent and secure country. We are against our government’s decision to send bombs to Israel, in violation of the US and international laws, used to indiscriminately bomb hospitals, schools, churches, mosques, and cultural heritage centers across Palestine. We all must condemn the acts of starving and slaughtering innocent children, women, unarmed civilians, journalists, and healthcare professionals," stated Dr. Khalid Qazi, Founding President of MPAC-WNY.
"Through its Community Dialogue and Action Meetings, The Christian Peace Collective engages a rich interfaith and politically diverse network of experts, experienced advocates, and the good neighbors of Western New York to work through difficult questions and to strive together towards a more peaceful world. The Solidarity Souk's aim of alleviating suffering in Palestine through art aligns fully with our mission," stated Clara Shearer, Coordinator for CPCWNY.
Digital flyers for the event will be available on endorsing organizations’ social media channels, while hard copy flyers will be in select community centers in Buffalo and Rochester.
The Solidarity Souk’s endorsers and sponsors invite interested individuals to support the Souk in three major ways:
Artists and artisans are invited to donate artwork and handicrafts of their own making to the event. (Please see the “Call for Artists” flyer for submission rules.)
Individuals who wish to donate attractive items not of their own making (e.g. jewelry or coffee mugs) in excellent condition are also invited to donate items to the event. (Please see the “Call for Donated Items” flyer for submission rules.)
Art-lovers and lovers of justice are invited to purchase event tickets, to purchase art and other items from the event, and/or to make outright donations to the event.
CONTACT NAME: Minnie Kim
EMAIL: solidarity.souk.wny@gmail.com
WEBPAGE: https://www.imana.org/solidarity-souk/