Asia-Pacific
Scholars Forum 2026: Unity of the Ummah in Support of Palestine and Al-Aqsa
The 2026 Asia-Pacific Scholars
Forum recently commenced in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, under the
theme “Unity of the Ummah and Support for Al-Aqsa and Palestine.” The event
witnessed wide official and scholarly participation, including Malaysia’s
Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Zulkifli Hassan, Deputy Minister of Natural
Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Mr. Syed Ibrahim Syed Noah, as well
as parliamentary and religious leaders. Key attendees included Dr. Salem Safaq
Al-Jifri, Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, and Dr.
Marwan Abu Ras, Chairman of the Jerusalem and Palestine Committee, alongside a
distinguished group of scholars and thinkers from across Asia and the Pacific
region.
The forum aims to develop a
joint action plan to support the Palestinian cause and enhance coordination
between scholarly bodies and non-governmental organizations in the Asia-Pacific
region, thereby contributing to the unification of the Islamic Ummah’s efforts
in confronting Israeli aggression and its political and humanitarian
consequences.
Official Stances and Calls for a Unified Regional Position
Malaysian officials and leaders
of Islamic organizations across Asia and the Pacific called on regional
governments to adopt positions that reflect the aspirations of their
populations in support of Palestine, warning against the continued absence of a
decisive and unified stance from regional organizations, particularly the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), regarding Israeli occupation
crimes.
Minister of Religious Affairs
Dr. Zulkifli Hassan emphasized that the Palestinian issue represents a matter
of justice and human dignity, not merely a humanitarian file. He reaffirmed
Malaysia’s commitment to continuing its political and diplomatic efforts to end
the occupation, while criticizing Western countries for abandoning their
responsibilities in supporting and funding international refugee-related
bodies.
International Union of Muslim Scholars: The Voice of the People
Over Narrow Interests
Dr. Salem Safaq Al-Jifri, Vice
President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, stressed that
government positions in Southeast Asia must reflect popular will in support of
Palestinian independence, recalling the international experience of dismantling
South Africa’s apartheid regime through popular and ethical pressure.
Al-Jifri criticized the
participation of certain governments, particularly Indonesia, in the so-called
“Peace Council” sponsored by the United States to manage the Gaza Strip, noting
that such steps lack popular consensus. He affirmed that peoples, through
democratic means, are capable of correcting official policies when they deviate
from the path of justice.
Jerusalem at the Forefront of Scholarly and Advocacy Efforts
Dr. Marwan Abu Ras, Chairman of
the Jerusalem and Palestine Committee, underlined that unifying the efforts of
scholars and Islamic institutions is a fundamental pillar in supporting the
Ummah’s causes, particularly the Palestinian issue and the defense of the
Al-Aqsa Mosque. He called for translating scholarly and advocacy positions into
practical, sustainable, and impactful programs.
The forum’s convening comes amid
escalating Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and declining
international support for refugees, highlighting the urgent need for a more
cohesive Islamic and regional stance that moves from condemnation to organized
and responsible action.
(Source: News Agencies)
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