Head of World Union of Muslim Scholars: Rescuing Palestinians from starvation is a religious duty

Amman (Quds News Network) – The World Union of Muslim Scholars has called upon leaders of the Arab and Islamic world, as well as the free world, to urgently act to save nearly half a million Palestinians from hunger. They emphasized that this is a religious and Sharia duty before being a part of international and humanitarian laws.

In statements to Arabi21 news agency, the President of the World Union of Muslim Scholars, Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi, commented on warnings from UNRWA and the Gaza Government Media Office that around half a million Palestinians in central and northern Gaza face the threat of famine after exhausting all their food supplies.

Al-Qaradaghi stated, “The entire Islamic nation and its leaders are required to move, and their armies should intervene urgently to rescue these people. If the Islamic nation does not fulfill this duty, it is committing a sin. It is a religious obligation on Muslims and their leaders, and they must fulfill it by delivering food and medicine to them through all means, even if it leads to war with the [Israeli] enemy.”

He added, “This is a religious edict (fatwa) in favor of the hungry among our people in Gaza. We take inspiration from Prophet Mohammad, may peace and blessings be upon him. He was alarmed when someone caused fear to two birds. So, how about us when we witness our brothers and sisters in Palestine facing these monstrous crimes for 109 days while besieged from all sides, with no water, medicine, or food?”

Al-Qaradaghi emphasized that the silence of Arabs, Muslims, and even the world regarding the continued abuse of Palestinians in this monstrous manner is unacceptable according to religion and law. He stated, “If these were non-Muslims, would the world remain silent about what they are going through?”

Al-Qaradaghi held the international community, the U.S. administration, and President Biden personally responsible for this crime, saying that it “violates international law, international humanitarian law, and contradicts all agreements and international treaties that guarantee the right to access food for any human being. They gave the occupation a green light to commit these crimes and refused to stop this monstrous war on the Gaza Strip.”

The Gaza Government Media Office announced this week that the quantities of flour, its derivatives, rice, and canned goods that remained in North Gaza since before the genocidal war on Gaza have run out. This confirms the start of a real famine facing 400,000 Palestinian civilians who are still present in the governorate.

The Media Office stated that the Israeli occupation forced residents of North Gaza to grind animal feed and grains instead of the missing wheat. They are now facing a real famine under the ongoing aggression and the tightened blockade imposed by the occupation on our Palestinian people.

Both North Gaza and Gaza City governorates are subjected to severe blockade and continue to face the genocidal war waged by the Israeli occupation army. The occupation prevents any aid from reaching these two governorates since the start of the brutal war, and dozens of executions and field killings have been recorded by the occupation forces against dozens of people who attempted to obtain food in the region.