For starters, the Islamic preacher Sheikh Salama Abdelkawi affirms to “Al-Mujtama” that the Zionist global war led by America and Europe on Gaza has placed the entire Muslim Ummah and, specifically, the scholars under a religious responsibility that cannot be evaded and no one has an excuse for not fulfilling it. This duty includes the following:
First, general mobilization, which involves the entire Ummah rapidly engaging in jihad with both wealth and selves, as stated in the Quran: “Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah.” (At-Tawbah: 41).
Second, exerting effort to the best of one's ability, as indicated by the Quran: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power.” (Al-Anfal: 60). This ayah addresses the entire Ummah, whether individuals or groups.
Abdelkawi: There should be an executive plan outlining practical measures for Gaza's relief
The scholars at Al-Azhar, the International Union of Muslim Scholars, the Sunna Scholars Association, and many other entities have an obligation to realize that the Muslim Ummah is currently experiencing a pivotal moment that does not occur much in our history. They are obligated to explain the Sharia ruling on jihad for the sake of Allah, with both self and wealth, as this is a war against Islam, not just against Gaza. They should not settle for statements, declarations, and fatwas (rulings) alone. Instead, they should develop an executive plan outlining practical measures for Gaza relief, engaging scholars, doctors, engineers, and prominent figures in politics, media, and intellect globally, especially non-Muslims. If the will is present, then everything else becomes easier.
Utilizing Available Means
Ihab Nafea, former political leader of the Islamic Group in Tripoli and the North, tells “Al-Mujtama”: Every religious Muslim with courage and chivalry should use all available means at their disposal, from media and social media, to contribute money and effort, not to mention sacrifice their lives for those who can. He points out that this faithful group in Gaza represents two billion Muslims in their jihad against the Zionist enemy and the protection of the Ummah from their threat, despite being abandoned and the collusion of rulers against them!
Nafea: The Islamic Ummah must pressure leaders to lift the siege on Gaza
Nafea calls on all Islamic nations to exert pressure on their governments to lift the blockade on Gaza and show full support for our brethren there. He emphasizes the need to send a strong message to Western governments, exposing the severity of the crime they commit by supporting the Zionist occupation and revealing the damage inflicted on the Western world's image, which rants about democracy and human rights.
Khaled Al-Johani, Jordanian political analyst and activist, states to “Al-Mujtama”: “It is the duty of the entire Ummah, whether rulers or ruled, to provide Gaza's mujahideen with financial support, manpower, weapons, and supplies. This is possible despite all obstacles and challenges, supported by the global public and official opinion.”
He adds that the countries surrounding Palestine must prohibit the passage of goods to the Zionist enemy through their territories and close their airspace to any civilian and military aircraft serving the enemy. This would change the power scale, besieging the enemy instead.
Furthermore, Islamic nations have a duty to maximize economic boycotts against forces supporting aggression in Gaza. Massive and continuous protests in front of embassies can create a significant shift in the official scene, forcing Egyptian authorities to reopen the Rafah crossing.
Al-Johani: Providing Gaza’s mujahideen with funds, men, weapons, and supplies is a must
Al-Johani clarified that the global mobilization that supported the Zionist enemy after October 7, 2023, must be countered by a mobilization at a national level in support of the resistance in Gaza and Palestine. He emphasized that the battle is a universal and civilizational one, even if its apparent focus is on Palestine within its geographical boundaries.
The Nations’ Duty
On his side, Yemeni media writer Wadie Atta states to “Al-Mujtama”: The ruling regimes (Arab and Islamic) alone do not bear the burden of failure and shame of the historical moment of betraying Palestine in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and beyond. The responsibility and greater shame also fall on the nations.
The nations that overthrew regimes that seized power for decades and rose up against injustice for freedom and dignity are capable of doing the same and more if they desire. This is if what the people have done is a genuine revolution and not just an “experimental revolution.”
This is regarding countries that have witnessed uprisings and revolutions; as to the rest of the countries, the moment requires a vigilant conscience and a genuine awareness of the human and Islamic obligations towards our brethren in religion, race, language, history, and destiny. It requires the belief that our war with the Zionist enemy is a matter of existence, not borders, and there is still time, O nation of the two billions!
Atta: This moment requires a vigilant conscience and a sense of humanitarian obligations towards our brethren in Gaza
In their interview with “Al-Mujtama,” the thinker Mohamed Yatim and the university professor Abdelali Hamieddine from Morocco emphasized the diverse forms of support that can be provided to Palestinian resistance against Zionist aggression, whether by states and governments or by people, be it military, political, or civilian. They praised South Africa's initiative to file a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court against the occupation on charges of genocide.
Yatim, the former president of the Moroccan Movement for Unity and Reform, stressed that Islamic countries have a responsibility to respond to aggression and not to abandon our people in Palestine. He emphasized that joint defense should be among the objectives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. These countries should align with and support the decisions of international bodies and the Security Council when making decisions against any form of aggression on any attacked country, especially when its land is occupied and its sanctities are violated, as is the case for Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He explained that Islamic countries are supposed to be the ones filing a legal suit against the Zionist enemy, stressing the need to continue popular political support through stands and marches. Unfortunately, we observe that the momentum of this support in Western countries is stronger and greater than what many Arab and Islamic countries experience.
Yatim: Joint defense should be among the objectives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
On a popular level, Yatim emphasized supporting our brethren in Palestine through praying for them to be granted steadfastness and victory against their criminal Zionist enemies. He also highlighted the importance of intellectual and cultural support by introducing the younger generations to the cause, its developmental stages, and especially the major Zionist criminal milestones committed against the Palestinian people and, in general, enhancing the resistance’s culture.
Political Systems’ Failure
In turn, the leader of the Moroccan Justice and Development Party, Abdelali Hamieddine, pointed out that this brutal war witnessed all types of violations prohibited by international and humanitarian law. It systematically targeted innocent civilians, societal elites, residential areas, and culturally significant buildings using guided missiles and smart bombs.
He also noted that while most Western governments, led by the United States, rallied to support the Zionist aggression with various forms of military and political assistance, the scene in the Arab and Islamic world seems divided between the will of the nations supporting Palestine and the incapacity of political systems, some of which have chosen to collude with the enemy, while others resorted to silence, observing the situation and awaiting the end of the war to adjust their stance based on its results. A few others settled on expressing some support through politics and media for the Palestinian people, unable to provide the support and solidarity needed in these challenging moments.
Hamieddine: It’s crucial to make diplomatic initiatives and receive the leaders of the resistance
Hamieddine emphasized the need to support the Palestinian people in their just and legitimate battle against the ongoing settler occupation for 76 years, primarily with military means as well as humanitarian aid and lifting the blockade on Gaza, providing essential necessities of life such as food, water, and medicine.
In addition to media support, he underscored the importance of diplomatic and political initiatives and the reception of political leaders of the resistance who are abroad, expressing solidarity with them and lifting the blockade imposed on them.
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