ISLAMABAD: In a significant development in the backdrop of Israel’s aggression against people of Palestine, Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday met the leadership of the Palestinian group Hamas in Qatar, urging the Muslim world to unite against Israeli injustices.

A statement issued by the JUI-F on social media platform X said that Maulana Fazl met Ham­as leaders Khaled Meshaal, the group’s former chief, and Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s present political head, in Qatar. It added that the JUI-F chief leading a delegation reached Qatar on Saturday. During the meeting, there was a detailed exchange of views on the issue of Palestine.

Mr Haniyeh said countries claiming to stand for human rights were sending ships filled with weapons to Tel Aviv, while Mr Meshaal was quoted as saying Palestine and Kashmir issues had been a litmus test for advocates of human rights.

“The Muslim Ummah should be in the field to support their Palestinian brother and to help their mothers, sisters and brothers,” the JUI-F leader quoted Hamas leaders as saying.

“The Maulana is playing the role of Pakistan’s ambassador to Palestine,” the JUI-F leader quoted the Hamas leaders as saying.

“Israel is attempting to change the status quo in Palestine through oppression and injustice and it is trying to alter the status of Al-Aqsa mosque,” the Maulana said. He said hands of the “advocates of developed countries” were stained with the blood of innocent Palestinians.

“Palestinians are not only fighting for their own land but also waging a battle for the freedom of holy Al-Aqsa mosque and, therefore, they are fulfilling the duty of the entire Ummah,” he said.

“The time has come for the Ummah to stand shoulder to shoulder with Palestinian brothers in the field,” the JUI-F chief said.

In a separate statement, the JUI-F said the Maulana expressed condolences over the martyrdom of thousands of Palestinians and expressed solidarity with the Hamas leadership on behalf of Pakistan and his party. It added that Mr Haniyeh and Mr Meshaal also conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to the people of Pakistan for the support.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2023