Dr. Ali Qaradaghi, president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), issued a passionate call on Sunday, urging Arab and Muslim communities, as well as their leaders, to fulfill their moral and humanitarian duties toward the people of Gaza.

In a strongly worded statement, he emphasized the need to provide urgent support and to work toward breaking the Israeli siege imposed on the Palestinian enclave.

Qaradaghi condemned the Israeli occupation, accusing it of violating international law and ethical standards by blocking essential supplies, including food, medical aid, and shelter materials, from reaching Gaza’s population. Labeling these actions as a “crime against humanity,” he called for immediate global attention to the crisis.

“The world is staring down a very serious ethical dilemma today — one that extends far beyond Gaza to a global scale. However, Gaza has exposed that and laid bare the true nature of the countries that claim to uphold democracy and defend human dignity,” Qaradaghi stated, highlighting what he described as hypocrisy in international human rights discourse.

Reflecting on the recent observance of International Women’s Day, Qaradaghi drew attention to the plight of women in Gaza, asking, “Do you know how many women were martyred or killed? How many women were widowed in Gaza? How many women were abused, imprisoned, and kidnapped?” He challenged the global community, adding, “Where are women’s rights and human rights in this world?”

In a direct appeal to the Muslim Ummah, the IUMS president called for widespread mobilization, urging communities to organize pro-Gaza protests and rallies outside US and European embassies, particularly in countries hosting Israeli diplomatic missions. He stressed the importance of collective action to pressure the international community into addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The statement comes amid growing concerns over the deteriorating situation in Gaza, where the blockade and ongoing conflict continue to exacerbate the suffering of civilians. (ILKHA)