Conference in Tokyo on Saving Gaza

 The "Saving Gaza" conference, organized by the Japanese Imams Council in Tokyo, concluded at the end of last week. The conference was officially announced through formal invitations and social media by the Japanese Imams Council, the Japan Muslim Association, the Islamic Center of Japan, and several other Japanese Islamic organizations.

The conference was attended by a number of Japanese imams, prominent Japanese Muslim figures, representatives of Arab and Muslim communities residing in Japan, and other Japanese Muslims interested in Islamic affairs.

 Disastrous Humanitarian Situation in Besieged Gaza

The conference sessions included extensive discussions on the disastrous humanitarian situation in besieged Gaza. This situation is the result of the barbaric aggression against unarmed civilians, the continuous day and night bombardment of residential areas, camps, and even hospitals, and the systematic starvation policy pursued by the Zionist occupation against the people of Gaza. The occupation has deliberately cut off food, medicine, and clean water, without exception or regard for the conditions of children, women, and the elderly.

During the conference, several attendees gave speeches centered on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the necessity of uniting Muslim efforts to pressure for the entry of food, medicine, and other supplies for the besieged people of Gaza. They emphasized the need to open all crossings, ensure the delivery of aid, and, if successful, prevent a recurrence of the deadly blockade on civilians.

The conference concluded with a final statement delivered by Sheikh Ahmed Abu Hakim Mino, director of the Japan Muslim Association and the Tokyo Mosque.

The Final Statement

Here is the final statement of the conference:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

A documented genocide and an organized crime are occurring in besieged Gaza. Its main measures are deadly starvation, a suffocating siege, total destruction, and the deprivation of clean water, food, medicine, and shelter. This is not a war; it is a planned policy of murder. Children lose their lives simply because they were born in Gaza, and mothers are buried in a world's complicit and shameful silence.

Allah Almighty says: "Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the day when the witnesses will stand." (Quran 40: 51).

Based on this, the Japanese Imams Council and the participants of the "Saving Gaza" conference declare the following:

1.      We affirm that the Palestinian cause is the cause of every Muslim who believes in one God. Supporting it is a religious duty, and abandoning it is a grave sin.

2.     We express our complete solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Gaza, Jerusalem, and across Palestine, and we see their indomitable spirit as resistance and struggle in the way of Allah.

3.     We demand an immediate halt to the genocide and war crimes against hospitals, children, and civilians. These are crimes against humanity and require international prosecution.

4.    We urge the immediate opening of all checkpoints to deliver food, medicine, fuel, and humanitarian aid.

5.     We appeal to Japan, both its government and people, to actively support Palestinians and contribute medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

6.    Japanese Muslims affirm their role in supporting the Palestinian cause through prayer, awareness campaigns, media activities, humanitarian support, and advocating for justice by all possible means.

7.     We urge human rights groups and international courts to immediately prosecute the crimes of the occupiers, especially the crimes of deliberate starvation, and to hold the United Nations accountable for its failure to protect civilians.

8.    We strongly appeal to people of conscience around the world to take immediate political, media, and humanitarian action to save Gaza and break the unjust siege.”

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Genocide under the watch of the world

In conclusion, the Zionist occupation is committing a genocide under the watch of the world and international organizations without anyone taking action. If no measures are taken to stop them, they are undoubtedly complicit. Supporting Palestine is a religious and humanitarian duty, not only for every Arab and Muslim but for everyone who lives in this world and sees and hears what is happening to them day and night. If this continues, the story of Gaza will remain a stain that history will never erase.

It is worth noting that the Japanese Imams Council is an organization that brings together all Muslim imams in Japan. It is concerned with the professional affairs of imams and assists them in performing their designated roles to the fullest extent for Japanese society in general and the Japanese Muslim community in particular. From time to time, it organizes events aimed at connecting the Muslim community in Japan and creating a way for continuous communication and participation in the issues of Muslims in Japan and around the world.