Muslim leaders asked to forge unity to oppose Israeli actions

ISLAMABAD: Distinguished intellectuals, academics and diplomats Saturday called on Muslim leaders to take concrete actions to stop Israel’s genocide in Palestine and its aggression against Muslim countries.

The appeal was made by the participants of a gathering held here under Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI), a think tank. The appeal has come in the recommendations for Arab League-OIC Joint Summit, taking place in Riyadh tomorrow (Monday). Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will represent Pakistan in the summit. The recommendations were presented in the seminar titled “Israel’s Genocide in Palestine & Regional Aggression: The World Order at a Crossroads”. The participants urged a unified and robust response from Muslim nations against Israeli actions, alongside tangible steps to counter the state’s aggression. Former federal minister Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed proposed in seminar Arab-OIC Emergency Summit establish a high-powered International Leaders Delegation - comprising Muslim leaders, as well as representatives from Global South and Europe - to visit President-elect Donald Trump. The delegation must advocate for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid and support for an independent Palestinian state, he said. Senator Mushahid asked for key initiatives to address Palestinian crisis. Initiatives include a Naval Humanitarian Flotilla comprising Türkiye, Pakistan and Indonesia, joining forces to break Israeli blockade of Gaza under UN authorisation. The measures also include providing much-needed aid to the region, setting up Palestine Reconstruction Fund under OIC to rebuild Gaza and Lebanon and establishing a Nuremberg-Style War Crimes Tribunal for holding Israeli leaders accountable for their aggression. Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam emphasised pivotal nature of current Middle East developments, urging Arab nations to decide if they will align with Western-Israeli interests or stand in resistance, following the example of leaders like Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah. Moghaddam argued the struggle between “right and wrong” will persist despite the West’s material dominance, accusing Israel and its allies of employing genocidal tactics as part of a broader new world order strategy. The Iranian envoy criticised UN and Red Cross, claiming they are failing to protect human rights and are instead reinforcing a power structure favouring Western interests.

He pointed out even non-Western members of UNSC, such as China and Russia, face limitations in acting against Western-aligned interests under the current global order. Syrian Ambassador Dr Ramez Alraee reflected on Israel’s long-standing aggression towards Syria and called for greater unity among Muslim countries to oppose Israel’s actions and support Palestinian cause. Dr Shireen Mazari, Chairperson of IPI, expressed frustration over OIC’s inability to respond effectively to the crisis in Gaza and West Bank. She asked Muslim countries to adopt a proactive stance, both domestically and collectively, in confronting genocide against Palestinians.

Dr Mazari argued the violence reveals a failure by powerful nations to uphold international law and Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, which mandates intervention to protect vulnerable populations. She warned the global order is not simply at a crossroads, but has been fundamentally destabilised, with repercussions extending far beyond the Middle East. The IPI chairperson cautioned Pakistan must remain vigilant amidst potential for broader conflict involving Iran and Israel.