The 9th annual Gathering of Scholars, organized by the Union of Scholars and Madrassas (ITTIHADUL ULEMA), continued its sessions under the theme “Aqsa Flood, Ummah and Ulema’s Responsibility (Gaza is the Honor of the Ummah).” This significant event brought together distinguished ulema from various Islamic countries, including Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan, Palestine, Egypt, Afghanistan, Qatar, Sudan, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and especially Turkey.

Dr. Abdurrahman Arif, a respected scholar from Iraqi Kurdistan, delivered a compelling presentation on “The Aqsa Flood and its effects on the call to Islam.” He began his speech with a traditional invocation, “Praise be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon the Prophet,” and emphasized the importance of strategic planning for resistance movements. Dr. Arif highlighted that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, has been following a well-defined strategy aimed at the return of Palestinians to their land and the establishment of an independent state. He drew parallels with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which successfully expelled foreign forces and established an independent state after two decades of struggle.

A significant portion of Dr. Arif’s address focused on the detrimental impact of the Sykes-Picot Agreement. He argued that this agreement, which created artificial borders, has been a major obstacle preventing Muslims from supporting the Gaza resistance. Dr. Arif called for the abolition of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, urging Muslims to work towards eliminating these divisive borders. He stressed that the agreement not only divided peoples into ineffective small states but also fostered internal conflicts among Muslims, further weakening their ability to support Gaza.

Dr. Arif also emphasized the need for Muslims to oppose any agreements with the Zionist occupation regime and to form a united front. He advocated for exposing the injustices and disgrace of the Zionists through media to the global public. Highlighting the effective use of media by Zionists to vilify Muslims, he called for a concerted effort to counteract this narrative and educate the world about the true nature of jihad and the identity of the mujahideen.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Arif underscored the urgency of providing aid and support to Muslims in Gaza. He pointed out that the leadership positions in many Muslim countries are occupied by non-Muslims, which hampers efforts to support Gaza. Dr. Arif called for the removal of non-Muslim rulers from power in Islamic countries and urged for immediate and comprehensive support for the people of Gaza.

The Gathering of Scholars continues to serve as a crucial platform for addressing the pressing issues facing the Ummah and strategizing for a united and effective response to the challenges ahead. (ILKHA)