ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq has proposed extending invitations to representatives from China, Russia and other non-member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to join the ministerial-level meeting of the organisation scheduled to take place in Jeddah on Wednesday (today) on the issue of Israel aggression against Palestinians in Gaza.

Presiding over a national conference on Palestine in Islamabad on Tuesday, Mr Haq called for the establishment of an international fund to aid the people of Gaza.

He informed the participants about the efforts of Al-Khidmat Foundation, the JI charity, in delivering assistance to the children and women in the Gaza Strip.

Notable figures from various political and religious parties, including Raja Zafarul Haq and Ahsan Iqbal of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nayyar Bokhari of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), former senator Barrister Ali Saif and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, were in attendance.

Holds ‘National Conference on Palestine’; Joint Declaration asks Pakistan govt to play leading role in current escalation

Mr Haq commended the unity displayed by political parties on the issue of Palestine, emphasising that it underscored the nation’s unwavering support for the cause. He underscored that the unity of the Muslim Ummah was the key to liberating Palestine from Israeli occupation.

The JI established the Al-Quds Committee to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis in Palestine. This committee, led by Raja Zafarul Haq, and coordinated by Liaqat Baloch, would hold meetings with the ambassadors of various countries.

The JI leader criticised the role of the United States in the current situation, highlighting that Washington was openly supporting Israel despite its blatant aggression against the innocent people of Palestine. He stressed that it was crucial for the leaders of the Muslim world to take concrete steps toward the liberation of Masjid-i-Aqsa and Palestine.

He pointed out that Israel was targeting civilians in Gaza with chemical weapons, resulting in thousands of people being trapped and in desperate need of food and water. He announced that the people of Pakistan would send 10 million signed petitions to the UN secretary general in support of Palestine and urged the nation to boycott Israeli products.

A joint declaration passed on the occasion unequivocally condemned Israel’s recent brutal aggression on Gaza and the West Bank, unfolding humanitarian disaster in Palestine and criminal negligence of the Western powers towards it.

“Israel has been trying to deceive the world and walk away from its war crimes by justifying its brutality as a reaction to Hamas’ provocation on October 7. In reality, the Hamas offensive was itself a reaction to the illegal occupation, ruthless dispossession of indigenous people and brutalities that Israel has been carrying out for 75 years,” the declaration said.

It further said some Muslim countries had raised strong voices on the recent escalation. However, the collective response of Muslim governments could not be considered satisfactory, keeping the gravity and intensity of Israel’s aggression in view. Muslim governments and organisations need mutual consultation for a strong and unified stance. The global community requires practical steps to stop Israel from its brutal offensive in Gaza.

The declaration further said the OIC should take Israel to the International Criminal Court for its war crimes; moreover, the Muslim countries need to reconsider their relations with the states openly supporting Israel for its atrocities in Palestine.

Muslim countries that have normalised ties with Israel and those considering this option should use this opportunity to reconsider their policies, it said.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2023