Here are this week’s letters to the editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Celebrating the ‘original’ spiritual Juneteenth
Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to perform the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. It is not merely a spiritual pilgrimage but a profound symbol of unity, equality and liberation.
Hajj reminds the world of a timeless truth: long before the world officially recognized the emancipation of enslaved people, Islam declared every human being equal in dignity and worth.
In this light, Hajj can be seen as the original “Juneteenth” — not in the political or historical sense, but in the deeper spiritual sense of freeing mankind from the shackles of racism, tribalism and social injustice.
Juneteenth, commemorated June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African-Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It represents the delayed promise of liberty and equality.
While Juneteenth is a pivotal moment in American history, it is worth reflecting on how the message of equality had already been established centuries earlier in Islam, especially through the transformative experience of Hajj.
As member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Oshkosh, I encourage my fellow Americans to join us in celebrating this historic occasion, which brings to memory the sacrifices of the Prophet Abraham 4 millennia ago, bringing together three major religions of the world to a common origin!
Saad Mian
Oshkosh
Rounding up, detaining and deporting immigrants must stop
God commands we treat foreigners with justice, compassion and love.
I urge you to read: Exodus 22:21 and 23:9, Deuteronomy 10:19 and 1:16, Leviticus 10:33-34 and 24:22, Matthew 25:31-46 and 2:13-15. Do your own search for more.
These verses demonstrate a consistent theme in the Old Testament: a call to treat foreigners with justice, compassion and love, reflecting God’s own concern for all people.
While the term “alien” can be interpreted in different ways, the core message is about extending kindness and fairness to those who are different or in vulnerable situations.
Most immigrants have lived and worked here for many years. They pay taxes and Social Security, which they cannot claim. They have not committed any crimes. Some are citizens. These raids, roundups and deportations are illegal. They are against our Constitution. You can find a copy of our Constitution online to find out for yourself.
If we are silent about our federal government’s current rounding up, detaining and deporting of immigrants, we are also part of these anti-Christian acts. This is how fascism starts. Search “fascism” online to find out more.
Contact your local, state, and federal elected officials and let them know what you think — state officials: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/legislators/; and U.S. officials: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WI.
Deb Martin
Oshkosh
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to oshkoshnews@thenorthwestern.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh letter-writers on celebrating the ‘original’ spiritual Juneteenth & immigration
Reporting by Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
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