Scholars advocate peaceful boycott in support of Palestinians

In Islamabad, on April 11, 2025, a national conference titled 'Palestine and the Responsibility of the Muslim Ummah' was held, bringing together religious scholars and leaders from various religio-political parties. They expressed their deep regret over the ongoing killings of innocent Palestinians and emphasized the urgency for collective action among the Muslim world. The conference aimed to address the concern of recent violent outbursts, including vandalism against fast food outlets, which had occurred in reaction to the situation in Gaza. Former Federal Shariat Court Judge Mufti Taqi Usmani highlighted the need for a non-violent approach, urging the Muslim world to act responsibly to stop Israeli aggression. He condemned any form of violence or vandalism and reminded participants that Islam teaches balance and peaceful protest. Mufti Usmani posed a critical question regarding the effectiveness of the Muslim world's silence in the face of continued brutality against Palestinians. Maulana Fazlur Rehman from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) echoed the sentiments of Mufti Usmani, labeling Israel as a terrorist state and stressing that Pakistan's support for Palestine is essential to uphold the ideology on which the nation was founded. He also noted that the rulers of Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt often impede unity in addressing the Palestinian struggle. Rehman called for these countries to step up and lead efforts to support Palestine. Conclusively, the conference resulted in a unanimous declaration urging the United Nations to convene a meeting on the Palestine issue and for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to establish funds for the Palestinian people. The attendees decided to observe a 'Day of the Oppressed Palestinians' and called for nationwide peaceful demonstrations, to ensure visibility for the plight of Palestinians while adhering to the principles of peace outlined during the conference.