World Muslim leader calls for de-escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli war

The World leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad, has condemned the killing of innocent civilians on both sides in the Hamas-Israel war, and expressed fear that the situation will continue to spiral out of control. 

During his Friday sermon at Islamabad's Mubarak Mosque in London, His Holiness urged the Muslim world to put aside their differences and raise their voices on behalf of innocent Palestinians who have no links to terrorism or extremism, and said the major powers must prioritise de-escalation and finding a just solution to the conflict. 

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "Over the past few days, war has broken out between Hamas and Israel. As a result, women, children and the elderly have been killed, and continue to lose their lives without distinction".

Reminding Muslims of Islamic commandments, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "Even in a situation of declared war, Islam does not permit the killing of women, children, the elderly or innocent civilians. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gave strict instructions forbidding to do so.... In this recent escalation of the war, Hamas took the first step and attacked Israeli citizens. Regardless of the fact that innocent people have been unjustly killed by the Israeli army, Muslims must ensure that they always adhere to the teachings of Islam". 

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad continued: "Wherever the Israeli army has committed injustice, it is their responsibility, and there are lawful and better ways to deal with it. If there is a legitimate state of war, it must be confined entirely to the respective armies and never against women, children, the elderly and innocent civilians. In this sense, Hamas's action must be condemned". 

Speaking about the actions of the Israeli army, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "Whatever injustice and cruelty was committed by Hamas, the response to it or the war should have been limited to Hamas. However, the (indiscriminate) response of the Israeli government is extremely dangerous and it seems that the conflict will not end here. Indeed, it is hard to imagine how many women, children, the elderly and innocent civilians will lose their lives. The Israeli government has suggested that it will destroy Gaza and to this end they are carrying out a severe and overwhelming bombardment. They are turning the city to dust. The most recent development is the announcement by the Israeli government for one million people to leave (northern) Gaza immediately". 

Speaking about the reaction of the United Nations, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "Fortunately - albeit with much hesitation - the United Nations is at least now raising a weak voice in response to this development. They have said that this action is against human rights and would create huge problems, so Israel should reflect on its decision. Instead of saying unequivocally that it is wrong, and instead of taking a stronger stance, the UN is merely making demands".

His Holiness again recalled that the killing of innocent children on both sides is utterly reprehensible and that the world must not forget that Palestinian children are as innocent as the children of Israel. 

His Holiness also recalled the teachings of the Jewish faith in relation to wars and said that the teachings of the "People of the Book" are clear that killing innocents is unacceptable, and that when Israel says that Hamas is killing innocents, it should also look at its own actions and judge whether they conform to its own religious teachings. 

His Holiness also recalled the fact that he has long been urging the world's major powers to stop dishonest behaviour, and to establish absolute justice independent of their own interests. If - said His Holiness - they had done so, the situation in Palestine and Israel would not have reached this critical stage. 

Mentioning how all emphasis in taking any action is taken against the Palestinians, His Holiness said that news reports indicate that the armed forces of several countries around the world are preparing to move into the region against the Palestinians and that major Western powers are also preparing harsh measures against the Palestinians while "setting aside the principles of justice". 

His Holiness highlighted the double standards in this conflict by mentioning how there are reports of videos and images showing innocent Israeli women and children being attacked which have aroused much sympathy among the people. Later, when it has come to light that these innocent women and children were actually Palestinians, a similar level of sympathy for them is not found in the media. 

Speaking about this, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said, "These people only care about the rule of 'might is right', and they simply bow down to those who wield strength and power in the world. If you think about it, it gives the impression that the great powers are bent on inciting war, rather than putting an end to it". 

Speaking of the role of the United Nations in establishing justice, His Holiness recounted how the League of Nations failed to implement justice, leading to World War II, in which tens of millions of people died. Now, His Holiness said, the United Nations is also failing again to establish justice and is heading in the same direction. 

As for the potential destruction that could easily result from this war, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "An ordinary person cannot even imagine the war that can now arise as a result of the injustices that have been contemplated. The great powers know the intensity of the damage it will cause, and yet they are not interested in establishing justice and are unwilling to pay attention".

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad reminded Muslim governments of their responsibilities and said: "In these circumstances, Muslims must at least realise their responsibility and pay attention. They must put aside their differences and establish their unity. In order to improve their relations with the People of the Book, Al'lah has commanded the Muslims to summon them towards "an equal word between us and you" and to converge in the Oneness of God. Therefore, Muslims, who have the same creed, should unite with each other even more, putting aside their differences. They should reflect and establish their union. This is the only way to eliminate injustice from the world: to fulfil the requirements of justice and to consolidate the rights of the oppressed. For this, Muslims must raise a strong voice in unison while uniting for the oppressed all over the world". 

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad also stated: "If Muslims unite and become one, they will have a strong and impactful voice. Otherwise, Muslim governments would be responsible for the death of innocent Muslims. Always bear in mind the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) - and this should be borne in mind by the major powers as well - that we must help both the oppressor and the oppressed. We must understand the importance of this commandment". 

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad prayed and said: "May Al'lah guide the Muslim powers to unite in order to establish true justice. May the great world powers also be granted righteousness of mind so that instead of leading the world to destruction, they may try to save it. May they not make it their aim merely to fulfil their selfish desires. They should always remember that if there is destruction, the great powers will not be safe from it either".   

His Holiness said that the only weapon that the Ahmadi Muslims possess and resort to is that of prayers, and urged the Ahmadi Muslims to "use this spiritual weapon more than ever". 

Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad said: "May Al'lah bring Hamas to reason as well. May they not become the cause of injustice against their own people, and may they not carry out barbaric cruelties and injustices against others. If they are to fight, let them do so in the light of the righteous principles of Islam - where the enmity of a nation should not incite us to act otherwise than justly - for this is the commandment of Al'lah the Almighty. May Al'lah enable the great powers to meet the demands of justice on both sides of the conflict and establish peace. May they not become lenient to one side at the expense of the other. May they not increase injustice and may we see peace in the world with our eyes".