EVER since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, the double standards of the West are apparent towards Ukraine and other conflicts happening in the world. People are comparing Ukraine with Palestine. It is evident that the West has turned a blind eye towards the Palestinians despite their suffering for the last over seven decades. The West, particularly the United States, has different parameters when it comes to atrocities against Muslims.

Mohammed Rafik Mhawesh, a Palestinian writer, said: “We fight our oppressors, and we get branded terrorists. Ukrainians do the same, and they get applauded for their courage.” Richard Boyd Barrett, an Irish parliamentarian said, “You are happy to correctly use the most strong and robust language to describe the crimes against humanity of Vladimir Putin, but you will not use the same strength of language when it comes to describing Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.” Mahmoud al-Habbash, a senior adviser to the Palestinian Authority, also condemned the international community, saying: “Does international legitimacy apply according to religion, colour, race or geography?”

The latest hero in the line is Egyptian squash superstar Ali Farag who has called out Western media for practising double standards while reporting events in Ukraine and Palestine. The most celebrated British and American news channels are continuously covering the Ukraine issue, but have unfortunately never shown such support to Palestine.

The dilemma of the Muslims is that they are not united on any single front. Everyone is pursuing independent agenda. We have the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but unfortunately it is a toothless organisation that has failed to resolve critical issues, like Palestine and the occupied Kashmir, for decades. The OIC should show its mobilisation the same way as the European Union and Nato are showing towards Ukraine.

While Ukraine is rightfully on everyone’s mind, let us not forget those who are suffering injustices for decades elsewhere around the globe.

Huma Nawaz
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2022