Organized by the Union of Scholars and Madrasas (ITTIHADUL ULEMA), the rally took place in front of the iconic Grand Mosque, a site revered as the fifth holiest place in the Islamic world. The gathering was a resounding call for unity among Muslims and a plea for concrete action against the Zionist regime's continued violence and occupation in Palestine and beyond.

The event, attended by influential scholars and opinion leaders from both Türkiye and abroad, highlighted the urgent need for the Muslim Ummah to confront the injustices perpetrated by Israel. In his address, Mullah Abdulkuddus Yalçın, Vice President of ITTIHADUL ULEMA, read a passionate press statement, urging Islamic nations and leaders to move beyond words and take decisive action to support the Palestinian resistance.

A Call to Support the Aksa Flood Operation

Yalçın began his address by referencing the Operation Aksa Flood, which launched on October 7. He emphasized that this operation represents a just and legitimate struggle against Israel's long-standing occupation and atrocities. He urged all people of conscience and humanity to support the resistance, noting that the operation is not merely a response to recent events but part of a decades-long struggle for Palestinian liberation. Yalçın argued that Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon, in addition to Palestine, demonstrate the Zionist regime’s broader agenda, which transcends sectarian and national boundaries.

"The Zionist and crusader mentality makes no distinction between sects or creeds when it comes to slaughtering our brothers and sisters," Yalçın declared. He stressed that the ultimate aim of the Zionist regime is to make Palestine another Andalusia, where Muslims and Islam are systematically erased from the region. The only way to prevent this, he asserted, is through unified resistance across the Islamic world.

Historical Context: From British Withdrawal to Zionist Occupation

In a powerful recount of Palestine’s tragic history, Yalçın reminded the audience that the root of the current crisis dates back to 1948, when the British withdrew from Palestine and handed over their arms and ammunition to Zionist militias. The creation of the Israeli state was facilitated by Western powers, who Yalçın described as complicit in the establishment of a "pirate state" on stolen land. The Palestinian people, subjected to brutal massacres and mass displacement, have been forced to endure a relentless occupation ever since.

Yalçın decried the international community's failure to hold Israel accountable for its crimes, citing the unconditional support provided by the United States and other Western powers as a primary reason for Israel's impunity. He emphasized that these foreign powers view Israel as a "dagger in the heart of Islamic geography," using the state as a tool to destabilize the region and perpetuate conflict.

The Legitimacy of Palestinian Resistance

Turning to the moral and legal dimensions of the Palestinian struggle, Yalçın emphasized that Palestinians are not aggressors but victims of an illegal occupation. "For Palestinians who have no choice but to resist and struggle to end the occupation and atrocities, jihad against the Zionist occupiers is a legitimate right," Yalçın affirmed. He highlighted that under international law, resistance to occupation is recognized as a fundamental human right, and Israel's portrayal of Palestinian fighters as terrorists is a cynical attempt to justify their ongoing repression.

The Operation Aksa Flood, Yalçın argued, is an objection and a direct response to decades of Zionist aggression. The resistance movement, supported by Hamas and other Palestinian factions, is a struggle for survival and dignity, and it deserves the backing of the entire Islamic world. Yalçın implored Muslims not to be swayed by Western narratives that paint Israel as a victim but to stand firm in defense of justice and the rights of Palestinians.

The Failure of Diplomatic Appeals: Time for Action

In his address to the rulers of Islamic countries, Yalçın expressed frustration at the futility of diplomatic efforts to curb Israeli aggression. "Stop calling on other countries to stop the atrocities of Zionist Israel," he urged, pointing out that years of appeals to international bodies have yielded no results. "The Zionists only understand power and force," he continued, warning that the time for dialogue has passed. Yalçın called on Muslim nations to take immediate, concrete steps to support Palestine, including severing all political, military, and economic ties with Israel and imposing a comprehensive embargo.

Yalçın also warned that the Zionist threat extends beyond Palestine, noting that Israel's recent aggression against Lebanon and its targeted assassinations of Hezbollah leaders indicate a broader strategy to weaken and destabilize the entire region. "Is there any guarantee that tomorrow you will not be the target of the Zionists?" he asked, cautioning Muslim leaders that inaction today could lead to further escalations tomorrow. He urged the formation of an Islamic alliance capable of confronting Israel militarily, stating that only through collective force can the Zionist regime be deterred.

The Role of Islamic Scholars

Yalçın directed part of his speech to Islamic scholars, whom he referred to as "the heirs of the prophets." He called on them to assume their rightful role as moral leaders of the Ummah, urging them to lead by example and to advocate for justice in their communities. "Protect the honor and dignity of Islam in this century when the Ummah is leaderless," he implored, emphasizing that scholars have a responsibility to speak out against oppression and to guide the Muslim world towards unity.

He also criticized the divisions within the Islamic community, urging scholars to put aside sectarian and theological differences in the face of a common enemy. The Zionist regime, he said, does not discriminate between Sunni and Shia when it comes to oppression, and Muslims must recognize that their strength lies in their unity. "The Zionist and crusader mentality does not differentiate when slaughtering our brothers and sisters," he remarked, calling for an end to internal divisions that weaken the Ummah.

A Broader Call to the Muslim People

In a heartfelt appeal to Muslims worldwide, Yalçın warned that the stakes of the conflict go beyond territorial disputes. He described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a "war of faith and disbelief," aimed at expelling Muslims from Jerusalem and erasing Islam from the Holy Land. "They are trying to make Palestine the second Andalusia by leaving it without Muslims and Islam," he cautioned, referencing the historic expulsion of Muslims from Spain in the 15th century.

Yalçın urged Muslims to awaken from their "sleep of heedlessness" and recognize the existential threat posed by Zionism. He encouraged Muslims to join the global boycott movement against Israeli goods and companies supporting the Zionist regime, noting that economic pressure is a powerful tool in the fight for justice. "We must not dirty our hands with the blood of our brothers and sisters by consuming Zionist goods," he emphasized.

The "Gaza, the Honor of the Ummah" Program

In closing, Yalçın announced the upcoming 9th gathering of Islamic scholars, set to take place in early October 2024. The event, themed "Gaza, the Honor of the Ummah," will focus on the liberation of Jerusalem and the defense of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Yalçın invited scholars from across the Islamic world to participate in this crucial event, which aims to unite scholars in their support for Palestinian resistance and to condemn the genocide being perpetrated by the Zionist regime.

The rally in Diyarbakır was a powerful display of solidarity and a clarion call for the Muslim world to unite against Israeli aggression. With powerful speeches, emotional appeals, and a clear demand for action, Islamic scholars made it clear that the time for passive diplomacy is over. The message was unmistakable: Only through unity, force, and unwavering support for the Palestinian resistance can the Zionist regime's expansionist ambitions be stopped. The event underscored the urgent need for a united Islamic front to confront the injustices being carried out in Palestine and to protect the sanctity of Islam’s holy sites. (ILKHA)