Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, condemned the ongoing genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza, declaring it a "crime against humanity" and an affront to the collective conscience of the Muslim world.

Marking one of the holiest occasions in Islam, Hibatullah Akhundzada used his annual Eid address to express unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose suffering under a brutal and merciless military campaign has shocked the global public and triggered waves of protest across the Islamic world. His message stands as a clear rebuke not only to the Israeli regime, but also to those nations and institutions that have stood idle—or even complicit—amidst the slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza.

“The Zionist assaults and acts of oppression against women, children, and oppressed Muslims in Gaza and other regions of Palestine continue unabated. These actions constitute grave crimes against humanity and severe injustice,” he said, calling upon all Muslims to raise their voices and intensify their prayers and support for Palestine during the sacred days of Eid.

Mawlawi Hibatullah’s message arrives at a moment of profound grief and moral reckoning. Since the Israeli assault began on October 7, 2023, more than 54,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, have been massacred in cold blood by Israeli air raids, tank shelling, and starvation policies. Over 120,000 civilians have been injured, and at least 11,000 remain missing beneath the rubble, while over two million Palestinians are facing famine, disease, and displacement under an illegal and suffocating siege.

Amid this catastrophe, world powers have largely remained silent or provided diplomatic and military cover for Israel’s aggression. In contrast, the Islamic Emirate’s leader called not only for an immediate end to the occupation’s crimes, but for the Muslim Ummah to wake from its slumber, to raise its voice, and to stand decisively with the oppressed.

“We call for an immediate halt to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. The silence of the so-called international community only emboldens the oppressors and prolongs the suffering of our brothers and sisters,” said Hibatullah, noting that the pain of Gaza must be carried in the hearts and on the tongues of every believer this Eid.

The message also emphasized the deeper meaning of Eid al-Adha—a celebration rooted in submission to Allah, the spirit of sacrifice, and brotherhood without regard to nationality, ethnicity, or race. Hibatullah Akhundzada invoked the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail, whose unwavering faith in the face of divine command serves as a lesson in obedience, struggle, and trust in Allah.

“Eid al-Adha is not merely a celebration of joy; it is a manifestation of our servitude, our willingness to sacrifice, and our shared responsibility toward the ummah. It is a time to remember the suffering of the oppressed and to offer solidarity in both prayer and action,” the message stated.

The Supreme Leader called on Afghans and all Muslims to include Gaza, Palestine, Kashmir, and every oppressed Islamic land in their du‘as and to extend aid, advocacy, and material support wherever possible.

In addition to his calls for global justice, Mawlawi Hibatullah addressed the domestic front, encouraging Afghan businessmen, industrialists, and entrepreneurs to increase their contributions to national reconstruction. Emphasizing self-reliance, he urged citizens to reject dependency on foreign powers and instead work toward a sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.

“Our traders and industrialists must intensify their efforts for the development and prosperity of our country so that our nation becomes self-sufficient and free from dependence on others,” he said, connecting the economic dignity of Afghanistan with the spiritual dignity of the wider Islamic world.

The message closed with a prayer for the unity and awakening of the Muslim world, the protection of the holy sites, and the liberation of oppressed lands. Mawlawi Hibatullah extended his warmest Eid al-Adha greetings to the Muslim Ummah, with a special salute to the people of Gaza and Palestine, whose courage and resilience have become a beacon of faith and resistance.

“On this sacred Eid, we pray for victory for the oppressed, mercy for the martyrs, healing for the wounded, and freedom for those under siege. May this Eid be a turning point in the Ummah’s awakening, and may it hasten the day of liberation and divine justice,” the message concluded. (ILKHA)