The Gaza Conference, a landmark gathering of over 150 scholars and religious leaders from more than 50 countries, concluded Friday at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque with the issuance of the Istanbul Declaration.

The eight-day conference, which began on August 22, 2025, addressed escalating atrocities in Gaza, rejecting international attempts to delegitimize Palestinian armed struggle and framing resistance as both a religious and humanitarian duty.

The Istanbul Declaration, read in Arabic by Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), and in Turkish by Nasrullah Hacimuftuoglu, president of the Foundation for Islamic Scholars in Türkiye, opened with a Qur’anic verse affirming the oppressed’s right to defend themselves. “We are unequivocally against the weaponization of resistance as a pretext to undermine it. Resistance is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people,” the statement said, emphasizing Gaza’s plight as a global Islamic and human responsibility.

A Unified Call for Justice

The declaration drew parallels to Hilf al-Fudul, an ancient Arabian alliance for justice, with al-Qaradaghi describing the conference as “a critical step to halt Israeli aggression and hold perpetrators accountable.” The event culminated in a symbolic sea procession from Democracy and Freedom Island to Hagia Sophia, where delegates gathered for Friday prayers and announced the final communiqué.

Concrete Measures to Support Gaza

The Istanbul Declaration outlined actionable steps to aid Palestinians and challenge Israel’s occupation:

-Political Mobilization: Committees will engage global leaders to implement the conference’s outcomes and monitor progress.

-Economic Solidarity: Muslim-owned financial institutions are urged to dedicate at least 2% of annual profits to Gaza aid through transparent and legal channels.

-Boycott of Israel: The declaration demands an immediate halt to political and commercial ties with Israel and calls for companies supporting Zionism to cease operations.

-Breaking the Blockade: Border states are urged to open crossings to Gaza, with a global call for sea convoys to deliver humanitarian aid.

Legal Accountability for War Crimes

The declaration strongly condemned Israel’s actions, urging Islamic nations and all states of conscience to pursue legal accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in domestic and international courts. Western governments, particularly the United States, were called upon to withdraw support for Israel and adopt a “humane and ethical stance” in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Launching a Global Movement

Far from a mere conclusion, the conference was described as the beginning of a sustained global movement. “Today, we do not close the Gaza Conference; we declare the beginning of its work,” the declaration emphasized, uniting diverse voices to amplify Palestinian voices and counter efforts to silence their struggle.

Since the conference, the Istanbul Declaration has already gained traction. Reports indicate that several Muslim-majority countries, including Türkiye and Qatar, have pledged to prioritize Gaza aid in their foreign policy agendas. Social media campaigns have surged, promoting boycotts of companies linked to Israel’s occupation. Meanwhile, legal experts from the conference are collaborating with international human rights organizations to prepare cases against Israeli officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC), building on arrest warrants issued in May 2024.

The conference, which began with prayers at Istanbul’s Eyup Sultan Mosque and included workshops on Democracy and Freedom Island, has been hailed as a turning point in mobilizing global Muslim solidarity for Palestine. The Istanbul Declaration now stands as a clarion call for justice, urging the international community to uphold the Palestinian people’s right to resist occupation and rebuild in the face of ongoing aggression. (ILKHA)