LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq has raised concerns about the silence of the rulers of the Islamic world regarding the Israeli brutal aggression against the innocent people of Gaza, emphasizing that the time has come for them to demonstrate whether they stand with the aggressor or the oppressed.

Addressing the Palestine Solidarity March on The Mall on Friday, he said, “Israel is an illegal occupant of Palestinian land and has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent individuals. Countless Palestinians have been displaced and are currently residing in refugee camps across various countries, all due to the relentless aggression of the Jewish forces.

“For decades, Palestinians have endured the atrocities inflicted by the occupying forces, and it was only four decades ago that they began their struggle, following the prolonged silence of Muslim leaders on this issue.”

He said the caretaker prime minister is not authorised to make statements contradicting the country’s official policy on the Palestine issue. He demanded that the caretaker prime minister retract his stance on the two-state solution for the Palestine issue. He also questioned the lack of an OIC session convened thus far to address the escalating situation in Gaza, urging the caretaker government to host meetings with all political parties concerning the crisis.

The rallies in Lahore and other cities, organised in response to the appeal of the JI Emir after Friday prayers, saw the participation of women and children.

Mr Haq said the Palestinians had also been unjustly labeled as terrorists when they were facing Israeli tanks armed only with stones. He noted that Hamas did not violate human rights during their attack in Israel, according to accounts from Jewish women and families who were witnesses to the events.

He emphasised the unity of the Ummah in support of the Palestinians and stressed that if the rulers of the Islamic world were to take a resolute stance, rather than looking to the US or remaining passive, Masjid Aqsa and Palestine would have gained independence by now.

The JI chief expressed disappointment that while European countries and the US openly support the Israeli acts of killing innocent people, the Muslim rulers remain silent spectators. He also stated that the Pakistani ruling elite would never take a bold stance for Palestine and Kashmir. Therefore, he appealed to the people to elect courageous and dedicated leaders who would steer the country in the right direction and champion the united cause of the Ummah.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2023