Zahra Billoo
@ZahraBilloo
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Civil rights lawyer. Cat mom. Ice cream eater. Cupcake baker. (Views are personal and RTs are not endorsements.)
San Jose, CA
Joined April 2008
“. And He knows all that is on land and in the sea; and not a leaf falls but He knows it; and neither is there a grain in the earth's deep darkness, nor anything: living or dead, but is recorded in [His] clear decree.”. (Quran 6:59)
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2008: Obama is a Muslim . 2024: Biden is a Palestinian. 16 years later, and we’re still deciding between racists and mass murderers.
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My appearance on @MSNBC this afternoon urging @SpeakerPelosi to condemn @realDonaldTrump’s actions for what they are, an incitement to violence against @IlhanMN and all Muslims.
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Shout out to Rep. @IlhanMN on raising more than $800,000 in the first quarter and to all of the #IStandWithIlhan supporters who have been giving generously -
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Worshipper, 65, takes down mosque gunman before he can kill anyone
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Over 12,000 people emailed, over 2,500 people are in attendance, public comment is non-stop, and the City Hall walls are ringing with chants of “#ceasefire now” for the third consecutive hour.
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The whole country paused for the call to prayer and silence in memorial. I’m sitting here crying again, praying for the #NewZealand martyrs, and the families and communities they leave behind.
NZ paused today at 1.30 pm with a call to prayer and two minutes’ silence to remember those who killed and injured in last Friday’s attack in Christchurch.
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Muslim women in the house at #SheThePeople2020! If you want to lead our country, we want to know if you will commit to #RepealTheBan. #NoMuslimBanEver #Election2020
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Alhamdulillah, it’s true, I really did get married. Really? Yes, really! How though?
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The US killed 30 civilians. May God forgive those of us who are paying for this with our tax dollars.
A US drone strike meant for ISIS killed 30 pine nut harvesters in Afghanistan via @businessinsider.
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The #MuslimBan goes into effect again immediately. If you or someone you know is impacted, or worse, stuck at an airport today, we are on standby to help you. You can call CAIR at 408.986.9874.
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Dr. Abdullah, I sincerely wish I saw you more often on the frontlines rather than on X. Please feel free to let me know if I can help connect you and other Muslim men to protest organizers.
Women shouldn’t be on the frontline. If those were men, it would’ve been a totally different story.
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Since this is going to be in your newsfeeds in the morning - here’s a thread about me being voted off the board of @WomensMarch tonight 1/.
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Remember that time a Muslim woman wearing hijab took her oath of office on the biggest Quran you've ever seen? Yes, @IlhanMN is who I mean! She's going to Congress and it's awesome.
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“Muslim children will be given a unique identification number under the law” which the government will will use to monitor their activities and potentially penalize their parents.
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Why does @AOC continue to attempt to punch down on @DrJillStein ? If you actually think she will not win and don’t believe she is building power, why spend so much social capital attacking her?.
Nobody needs talking points to know Jill Stein hasn’t won so much as a bingo game in the last decade and if you actually give a damn about people, you organize, build power and infrastructure, and win.
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Police officers in Georgia killed a Somali Muslim refugee woman today.
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Last night, I was scheduled to receive an award for my community building work from an interfaith organization. *However, earlier this week, the organization rescinded my award because of my vocal support of Palestinian human rights.*.
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You invaded their lands. You killed their innocent children. Now their mere existence traumatizes YOU? Ok then. 🤔🤯😡
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“Her mother Teresa Herreras spoke in her native language of Mixtec when she explained to Telemundo 20 that she doesn't want to see her children in her place. ‘My dream is to see them in an office," she said. "We did not have the opportunity to study.’”
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I’ve been wearing a keffiyeh or keffiyeh printed hijab all week and have been so pleasantly greeted by compliments. They’re in the least expected places, hotel staff in Houston, airline staff in San Jose, and even a fellow airline passenger en route to California. It can be.
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Anyone else struggling to manage “work, life, genocide balance” recently?.
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End the revolving door between #WallStreet and #Washington!. She knows, every bad decision in our country is driven by greed. She’s going to fight to fix it. @ewarren’s #bigideas goes to the root of the problem.
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Santa Clara Muslims from @MCABayArea setting up to provide Christmas Eve dinner for residents at a local homeless winter shelter.
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You will find me speaking out against settler colonialism everywhere, challenging Islamophobia and all forms of racism and bigotry, and building with Muslims and our allies in our quest to be our most authentic and liberated selves. Onward, God willing. -End.
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This followed an Islamophobic smear campaign led by the usual antagonists, who have long targeted me, my colleagues, and anyone else who dares speak out in support of Palestinian human rights and the right to self-determination. 3/.
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Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon. When Israel slaughtered Ismail Haniyeh's children, he said: . "The blood of my children is not more valuable than the blood of the people of Palestine and all the martyrs in Gaza are my children.".
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Let me try that again for you: Ohio woman dies after police use chemical weapons on human rights activists.
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My therapist has told me this as I have grieved various losses in recent years. I’m not sure who illustrated this image, but I hope the visualization is as helpful to you as it is to me.
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BREAKING: Yemeni mother wins #MuslimBan visa waiver fight to see her dying child in a California hospital. Kudos to @CAIRSacramento for their incredible work on this desperate situation. #ForAbdullah #NoMuslimBanEver.#RepealtheBan.
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CBP Officer: how long were you in Mexico?.Me: five days .CBP Officer: Ok stand in front of the camera so I can take your picture .Me: I’d like to opt out.
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I condemn any form of bigotry unequivocally, but I also refuse to be silent as allegations of bigotry are weaponized against the most marginalized people, those who find sanctuary and hope in the articulation of truth. 14/.
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I have completed 12 years of medical training . yet in my 1st job as an attending physician, I was pushed by a patient . He shouted, “Get out of the room! You’re not a doctor, you’re Muslim!” The bedside nurse and family present just watched.
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Good riddance. Your legacy will forever be that of a failed, one-term President who enabled genocide.
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This is not strategic political engagement. This is a photo opp. with the woman who has repeatedly raised her hands in support of Israel’s genocide. Our movement allies are quitting their jobs and blocking bridges while @imammagid and @IRF_Ambassador are posing for pictures.
This week, I had the honor of hosting an Iftar dinner to break the fast. This is a time for people to reconnect with one another and rededicate themselves to their faith. But unfortunately, this is also a moment of tremendous pain. From Sudan to Gaza, Afghanistan to Xinjiang,
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Hands Free Sharia 🤣.
MN Senate amends Hands Free cell phone bill to specifically allow holding a phone with your hijab, the head covering or scarf worn for religious reasons.
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Pay attention. They are doing this because the protests are working. In my nearly 20 years of activism, I don’t recall widespread, extended curfews of this sort.
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To be clear, anti-Semitism is indeed a growing and dangerous problem in our country, as is anti-Blackness, anti-immigrant sentiment, Islamophobia, ableism, sexism, and so much more. 13/.
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However, much of the campaign is driven by people who oppose me and my work challenging the occupation of Palestine, our country's perpetuation of unjust and endless wars, and law enforcement operations targeting the American Muslim community. 5/.
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Hearing @CoryBooker cite #impeachment on the #bigideas stage makes me so grateful for how @RashidaTlaib has fought hard to push the urgency of #ImpeachTrumpNow and it’s working!.
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The five minute delay is a tiny price to pay to protect my individual rights and to contribute to the barriers we can collectively create to slow the government use of technology to erase any remaining privacy we may have.
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To see and experience its new leaders caving to right-wing pressure, and casting aside a woman of color, a Muslim woman, a long-time advocate within the organization, without the willingness to make any efforts to learn and grow, breaks my heart. 11/.
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Israel is far beyond an apartheid state, it is a genocidal monster.
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Trump wants to ban immigration from everywhere we've bombed and created refugees in:. Syria.Yemen.Somalia.Sudan.Iraq.Iran . #NoBanNoWall.
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Remember this the next time the Democratic party asks you for money: . The Harris campaign, which is $20 million in debt, is fundraising off its working class members because celebrities like Oprah were paid $1 million for their endorsements.
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This is horrible. Imagine? This is why we second guess what governments and even the media say. Maryland Muslim woman misidentified as ISIS by Sri Lankan government .
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Challenging #Islamophobia & helping those in need, 1 🎂 at a time. Decorated this 🎉🎂for a foster child while on a #CAIR conference call.
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This isn’t about a lost seat, there will be many seats. The Women's March, Inc. has drawn a line in the sand, one that will exclude many with my lived experiences and critiques. It has effectively said, we will work on some women’s rights at the expense of others. 12/.
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Nauseated. May Allah protect us from the predators within our communities.
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The Women's March, Inc. that voted me off its board tonight is one that no longer demonstrates the strength that inspired millions of women across the country. 10/.
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“Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him do we return."
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Imagine what it’s like to be unhoused in California, living on the street under apocalyptic skies, tonight.
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The past 48 hours have been a spiral of bad news and smear efforts. Part of the smear campaign is motivated by opponents of the Women’s March, because the organization has traditionally challenged the status quo of power and white supremacy in our country. 4/.
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Today, Alhamdulillah, the award I wrote about two weeks ago, which had been previously rescinded was reinstated.
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Curfews don't stop violence, in fact they give police a pre-text for more violence.
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I told the truth as my community and I have lived it, through the FBI’s targeting of my community, as I supported families who have lost loved ones because of US military actions, and as I learned from the horrific experiences of Palestinian life. 16/.
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I will continue my work as a civil rights lawyer and a faith based activist. 24/.
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Right. Now. And. Always. #WeMarchWithIlhan.
On Tuesday, 4/23, #WomensMarch chapters are leading a #WeMarchWithIlhan twitter storm! . Set your timer for 9am PT / 12pm ET and get ready to voice your support for @IlhanMN!
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I have led the team that forced Abercrombie to change its discriminatory policies, have been arrested advocating for DACA, partnered w/Jewish organizations including @jewishaction and @jvplive to protect our communities, and was one of the first lawyers to sue the President. 20/.
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Hi @FoxmanAbraham. Lest anyone forget, you led an anti-Palestinian hate group masquerading as a civil rights organization, this was you, right?
Imagine if American Jews picketed and demonstrated in Arab-Muslim communities and in front of mosques— blocking traffic and intimidating the residents because many muslims support Palestinians? There would be outrage in America- that is what is occurring in Teaneck ,NJ.
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By killing, he means stripping naked, interrogating, shooting dead, burning the corpse of, lying about, and saying he’d do it again.
Trump pardons former Army soldier sentenced for killing Iraqi prisoner.
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Over and over again, the co-founders of Women's March, Inc., @lsarsour, @msladyjustice1, @TamikaDMallory, and @bobblanddesign, put their lives on the line, winning power for all women in all of our diversity. 9/.
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These efforts were rejected. And in rejecting these efforts, the new Women’s March, Inc. board demonstrated that it lacks the courage to demonstrate allyship in the face of fire. 18/.
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Shero @RashidaTlaib confronted @POTUS today. This is the day after he agreed to more in weaponry for Apartheid Israel which will be used to attack Palestinians. This is why we mobilize for people of conscience in elected office. May Allah protect and increase her.
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I spoke at the first #WomensMarch, spoke at regional marches every year after, spoke at the #WomensConvention, participated in national actions including the original #Kavanaugh protests, and worked to mobilize Muslim women for their efforts. 7/.
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The best 2:20 on the internet today. I miss praying in congregation!
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In looking at the tweets in question, I acknowledge that I wrote passionately. While I may have phrased some of my content differently today, I stand by my words. 15/.
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Civil Rights PSA: If someone stops you on the street, grabs you, and throws you in to a van, that is kidnapping. There is no badge or uniform that makes this legitimate.
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During the past few years right-wingers, from the President’s son to the Anti-Defamation League and troll armies, have targeted the Women's March, Inc. For so long, I’ve admired their resilience in speaking truth to power, in working together, and in never cowering. 8/.
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"He's going to do to you Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews." - Letter mailed to a #SanJose mosque. #Islamophobia #TrumpEffect
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BREAKING: 4th Circuit decided that #MuslimBan3 is Islamophobic and violates the 1st Amendment. We’ve said it over and over again, and today the courts are joining the #NoMuslimBanEver chorus. (Note, it is still in effect.).
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This is 36. Spent my birthday on flights to talk about the #MuslimBan in San Francisco and Detroit. 35 was hard. Each test though brought me closer to my religious beliefs and practices. That’s what matters most, especially since 37 isn’t exactly promised. Onward, InshaAllah.
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I just signed a @womensmarch petition calling on @Facebook and @Twitter (cc @jack) to suspend Trump for trafficking in hate speech and inciting violence against @IlhanMN. We don't have to give hate a platform. #StandWithIlhan and Sign here:
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We put our bodies on the line for #MigrantJustice today, coming face to face with violent border agents. They assaulted us as we prayed and sang. My brothers Ossama and @HussamA were arrested and are still detained. #LoveKnowsNoBorders, and our faith calls us to action.
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Here's what you need to know about today's new #MuslimBan:. 6 countries added: Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, Myanmar, Eritrea & Kyrgyzstan. 7 countries carry over from #MuslimBan3: Libya, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, North Korea & Venezuela. #NoMuslimBanEver #RepealTheBan . 1/
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I came to Women's March, Inc. to work. My body of work has included leading @CAIRSFBA a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization for over a decade, growing it now more than six fold. 19/.
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Calling the cops to help a family member or neighbor, especially if they are a person of color, could lead to their death. We see it over and over again. Please think twice before calling law enforcement.
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I am happy to have as many conversations as it takes to listen and learn and heal, but I will no longer be able to do that through Women's March, Inc. This action today demonstrates that this new leadership is unable and unwilling to be an ally during challenging times. 22/.
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“Whenever My servants ask about Me, indeed, I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant whenever he calls upon Me.” (Quran 2:186).
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It is not my first time being the target of a smear campaign. The Women's March, Inc., more than any place, is where I would have expected us to be able to have courageous conversations and dive deep into relationship building work. 21/.
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My beliefs drive my work and I am not seeking accolades or positions of power. These past few days have been the greatest test of that. My integrity, my truth, and my strength comes from God and a place of deep conviction. 23/.
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In attempting to heal and build in an expedited manner within Women's March, Inc., I offered to meet with stakeholders to address their concerns, and to work with my sisters on the new board to learn, heal, and build together. 17/.
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Our sheroe @RashidaTlaib is up for re-election! If we value her unapologetic, faith in action work, we need to put our 💰 where our 👄 is. Can I get 20 of you to donate $25 today?. *DM me if you can contribute $25, or more or less.* #ReElectRashida
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They claim they delete the pictures after 12 hours. What they don’t say is who they will or won’t share the picture with in the meantime. They also offer that US citizens can opt out. It’s in the fine print. I read it. Then I opted out.
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This is among the most beautiful protest shots I have seen. May we be forgiven for our complicity in Israeli war crimes, our efforts to support justice be accepted, and the people of Palestine be victorious. 📸 lots of people, so s/o to @AMPalestine which leads our community.
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#Interfaith solidarity at the #PHxMosque today. More allies than Islamophobes showed up, Alhamdulillah. http://t.co/8Dgri1bub9.
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This hate crime at @Stanford underscores the urgent need to address the Islamophobia plaguing our communities, and here specifically putting our students in grave danger. The University must act quickly to investigate this incident and work diligently to apprehend the assailant.
Law enforcement is investigating a potential hate crime after a Muslim student was injured in a hit-and-run crash at Stanford.
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The Women's March, Inc. is an organization I once held dear. 6/.
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