More than 2,000 people attended the energetic and information-packed Conference for Palestine in the US: A Movement United, which hosted a diverse group of nationally and internationally renowned speakers such as Abdel Moneim Abou Fotouh, a former presidential candidate in Egypt’s first democratic elections; Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou, cofounder of the Tunisian Islamic Tendency Movement; Miko Peled, the son of an elite Zionist military family and author of the book, “The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine,”; Omar Barghouti, cofounder of the Palestine Boycott National Committee; Sheikh Jamal Said, imam and director of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, IL; and Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, noted political analyst and AMP national board member.

The fifth annual conference, which took place from Nov. 22-25 in Oak Brook, IL, came on the heels of Israel's "Operation Pillar of Defense," which left more than 160 Palestinians and 5 Israelis dead. The conference was a vehicle to bring together the diverse elements within the movement to bring justice to Palestinians around the world.

One key session, “A Movement United,” offered representatives from mainly Muslim organizations the opportunity to discuss how the Muslims community can get more engaged in Palestine social justice work. Another important session, “Meet our Partners,” was a panel discussion comprised of representatives from the Palestinian organizations US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Al Shabaka and Palestine Children’s Relief Center, which addressed the ways in which Palestinians are leading the movement in this country.

“The Movement United session highlighted growth of the Palestine solidarity movement as well as the unity amongst the largest Islamic and Palestine solidarity organizations in the US,” said Awad Hamdan, AMP national programs director. “The success of the conference will reverberate throughout the activist community and will help strengthen and empower individuals throughout the US to do more for Palestine.

The point of Palestine solidarity work in the United States is to advocate for full human rights for Palestinians, who have been existing under illegal Israeli occupation for decades. The point is to bring true equality to everyone who lives in the Holy Land.

Here are cutlines for the photos
1.: Speakers during "A Movement United" session spontaneously joined hands in solidarity and victory as they pledged continued cooperation on Palestine social justice work during the fifth annual AMP conference on Nov. 22 in Oak Brook, IL>

2. Maysa Nouri, a panelist in the session, "Women on the frontlines," discusses her role in social justice activism, while Seema Imam, Nadia Hijab and Janaan Najeeb listen.

3.- Rabbi Brant Rosen (from left), the Rev. Don Wagner, director of Friends of Sabeel North America, and scholar Dr. Jamal Badawi of Canada, presented a session about the importance of building interfaith coalitions when it comes to Palestine solidarity work at the fifth annual AMP conference held in Oak Brook, IL, from Nov. 22-25.

4. Attorney Munjed Ahmad, AMP vice chairman, reaffirms his belief that freedom for Palestine is coming during the opening ceremony for AMP's fifth annual Conference for Palestine in the US: A Movement United, held in Oak Brook, IL from Nov. 22-25.

5. AMP dabka girls perform the traditional Palestinian folk dance during the entertainment session.

6. -- Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou of Tunisia addresses a packed house during the AMP conference.

7. Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou of Tunisia addressed the audience during the opening ceremony for AMP's fifth annual Conference for Palestine in the US: A Movement United, held in Oak Brook, IL from Nov. 22-25.

8.Sheikh Abdelfattah Mourou of Tunisia addressed the audience during the opening ceremony for AMP's fifth annual Conference for Palestine in the US: A Movement United, held in Oak Brook, IL from Nov. 22-25.

9. Palestinian American spoken word artist Remi Kanazi performs in the conference's Campus Activism Track, designed especially for students who engage in social justice activities on their college campuses.

10. College students learn about how to use poetry and literature as a form of resistance.