Istanbul Hosts Global Muslim Scholars Conference in Solidarity
with Gaza
Istanbul
witnessed the launch of a global conference under the theme “Gaza: An Islamic
and Humanitarian Responsibility”, with the participation of around 150
prominent Muslim scholars from nearly 50 countries. The event took place in the
courtyard of the Eyüp Sultan Mosque immediately after Friday prayers.
The
conference is organized by the International Union of Muslim Scholars in
cooperation with the Islamic Scholars Foundation in Turkey, and supported by
the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs. Its core message: Gaza is not
merely a local issue, but a humanitarian trust and a civilizational message for
the Muslim Ummah and the global conscience.
Scholars’ Outcry from Istanbul
In the
opening speech, Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi, Secretary-General of the International
Union of Muslim Scholars, stated that what is happening in Gaza represents one
of the gravest catastrophes in modern history—describing it as a genocide
targeting over 2.5 million people who have lived under bombardment, siege, and
deprivation of basic needs for the past 22 months.
He
criticized the silence of the international community and the regression of
official stances, while commending the widespread popular support around the
world. He emphasized that Gaza is the cause of the entire Muslim Ummah and
humanity at large, and the conference in Istanbul reflects scholars’ commitment
to defending Palestine.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Religious Affairs President Ali Erbaş stressed that global peace cannot
be achieved without peace in Palestine, asserting that international stability
hinges on ending Palestinian suffering.
He
pointed out that sympathy alone is insufficient—concrete steps are needed to
stop the aggression and ensure aid delivery, criticizing the world’s silence in
the face of the killing of children and women.
Objectives of the Conference
The
conference aims to transform solidarity with Gaza into coordinated action,
based on a comprehensive vision that holds both the Muslim Ummah and humanity
accountable—morally and religiously—through:
· Mobilizing
efforts to stop the aggression and open safe corridors for aid delivery.
· Building
a unified Islamic alliance to confront the crimes of occupation and prevent
future massacres.
· Launching
the “Global Alliance of Virtue” initiative to prosecute war criminals through
international legal mechanisms.
· Developing
the “Istanbul Declaration” as a reference document for legal experts,
parliamentarians, and humanitarian organizations—framing Gaza as a symbol of
global justice.
Concrete Steps
The
conference plans to implement several actionable measures, including:
Sending
high-level scholar delegations to meet leaders of Muslim countries to rally
political and economic support.
Establishing
a permanent follow-up committee to implement the conference’s recommendations
and sustain momentum.
Hosting
18 specialized workshops from August 24 to 28, addressing the Palestinian issue
from legal, political, and humanitarian perspectives.
The
event will conclude on Friday, August 29 at the Grand Hagia Sophia Mosque with
a final statement and scholars’ recommendations to the world.
Thus,
the Istanbul Conference evolves from a symbolic gathering into a global
platform affirming that Gaza is a shared responsibility of the Ummah and
humanity—one that demands urgent and unwavering action.
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* للاطلاع على الترجمة الكاملة للخبر باللغة العربية، اضغط (هنا).
