Calls for Global Action Against the Gaza Crisis
Prominent Islamic scholars from Nigeria have raised urgent concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing it as a genocidal war. The Ulamau Wing of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) has called on the global community to take decisive action and support the Palestinian people. This call was made during a major press conference held at the TMC Dawah Centre in Ijesha, Lagos.
Sheikh Abdur Rahman Ahmad, Chairman of the Ulamau Wing and National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, delivered a powerful message that resonated with thousands of attendees. He described the situation in Gaza as a “genocidal war” and highlighted the deep suffering of Palestinians. His speech emphasized the collective responsibility of the global Muslim community to address this injustice.
The scholar provided a historical context, linking the current violence to decades of systematic oppression. He referenced the Nakba of 1948, which marked the displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians. Sheikh Ahmad argued that the current aggression is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing pattern of dispossession and genocide.
He cited alarming statistics, including over 60,000 deaths, 1.9 million displaced people, and the destruction of essential infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. The use of starvation as a weapon of war was also condemned, with reports of famine and preventable diseases affecting children in Gaza.
While acknowledging the efforts of international legal bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Sheikh Ahmad criticized world powers for their continued military and financial support to Israel. He urged Muslim nations, especially those in the Arabian Gulf, to set aside political differences and take a united stance against the injustice faced by Palestinians.
He called for sanctions on Israel, the halt of arms transfers, and the suspension of diplomatic and trade relations until the occupation ends. The scholar also suggested declaring the Israeli regime a terrorist state.
Voices from the Gaza Community
Abu Ibrahim Bn Ibrahim, a representative of the Gaza community in Nigeria, also spoke at the press conference. Through Arabic remarks translated into Yoruba by the Grand Mufti of CIO, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, Abu Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the organizers and the Nigerian public for their solidarity.
He praised former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, for his vocal support of the Palestinian cause. Abu Ibrahim shared a personal story, highlighting the impact of the conflict on his family. Over 45 members of his family have died in the war, including his father. He recounted a recent phone call from his mother in Gaza, where she mentioned she hadn’t eaten bread in 12 days.
Abu Ibrahim strongly criticized Arab governments, particularly the Palestinian Authority and Egyptian leadership, for failing to take meaningful action. He compared the current Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to former President Mohamed Morsi, who had once pressured world leaders to halt Israeli aggression.
He emphasized the power of economic boycotts and urged Nigeria to take a stronger stance by expelling any Israeli presence as a show of solidarity. As an ambassador for the Palestinian cause in Africa, he shared his efforts to campaign for the rights of Palestinians across cities and countries.
A Universal Struggle for Justice
The press conference concluded with a heartfelt appeal to the media and global community to give adequate coverage to the ongoing genocide and to treat the Palestinian crisis as a universal struggle for justice, not a religious or political issue.
Sheikh Ahmad stated, “We believe this is a fight for humanity. Act now to save Gaza, to protect Palestine, and to uphold the principles of justice and humanity for all.”
The call for action underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for global solidarity in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It serves as a reminder that the plight of the Palestinian people is not just a regional issue but a matter of global concern.