• Workshops tackle historical lessons, current challenges, and strategies to strengthen Muslim unity, as scholars prepare recommendations ahead of 'Istanbul Declaration'
• 'Deliver aid to Gaza with all courage,' Muslim leaders call on Egypt and Jordan to open borders immediately
• Speaking to Anadolu, London's Director of Mayfair Islamic Centre notes rising support in Europe for Palestine, saying: 'Step by step, change is coming'

ISTANBUL

The fifth day of the eight-day Gaza Conference continued on Tuesday on Democracy and Freedom Island in Istanbul, with a series of workshops focusing on the history, present reality, and future of the Palestinian cause, as well as the political, media, and religious responsibilities of the Muslim world.

The morning session divided participants into two groups: one examined the historical trajectory of the Palestinian struggle and its current challenges, while the other explored possible scenarios for its future. In the afternoon, attention turned to the role of scholars and media in defending Palestine, alongside discussions on the duties of states, politicians, and Islamic movements. Later, a press briefing was held.

The final workshop of the day centered on identifying solutions, with a particular emphasis on how religious leaders and the media can mobilize public opinion and strengthen collective resistance. The sessions concluded with a general meeting where workshop leaders presented their reports, contributing to the broader body of recommendations that will culminate in the “Istanbul Declaration.”  

Deliver aid to Gaza with all courage'

During the press statement, delivered in Arabic by Habib Saeed al-Saqqaf, former president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), and in Turkish by Ibrahim Ozyasar, rector of Mardin Artuklu University, participants issued an urgent call for action.

“The urgent duties of the Muslim and Arab countries are to open the borders immediately and to provide humanitarian and medical aid without delay,” the statement read, directly addressing Egypt and Jordan to “deliver it to Gaza with all their courage … Otherwise, they will bear the responsibility before Allah, and then before the generations to come.”

The statement further urged Islamic nations and free peoples worldwide to “break the unjust siege of Gaza by deploying humanitarian vessels that carry food and medicine and express the voice of the world conscience.”

It also demanded “an immediate and comprehensive stop of all relations with the Zionist group politically and economically, the withdrawal of ambassadors, and the suspension of all forms of control.”

Al-Saqqaf warned that “the continuation of Zionist aggression and the escalating hunger will spark a major mass and popular uprising within the Muslim people and others,” while reaffirming that “the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a blessed red line.”

The role of media was highlighted as crucial in “exposing the crimes of the occupation in all the languages of the world” and honoring the “martyrs of the media in Gaza, who rose up during their duty to document the crimes of the occupation.”

In addition, the statement called for the establishment of “a permanent Islamic fund for the construction of Gaza,” the inclusion of Palestine studies in educational curricula, legal initiatives to prosecute Israeli officials in international courts, and parliamentary cooperation with global counterparts to support the Palestinian cause.  

Borders must be opened 'by force' if necessary

Speaking to Anadolu on the sidelines of the conference, Hafez Alkarmi, director of the Mayfair Islamic Centre in London, called on Muslim leaders to take urgent action to relieve Gaza.

“Gaza is now in genocide, Gaza, the Israeli army destroyed everything … hospitals, homes, everything in Gaza now is destroyed,” Alkarmi said. “The Muslim rulers… have to do not just to say some things, but to do something to reach the food and the milk to the children in Gaza.”

He stressed that borders, especially Rafah, must be opened “by force” if necessary to deliver aid.

On the role of European Muslims, Alkarmi noted that London alone has seen “more than 30 general demonstrations … millions of people … go every two weeks to 10 Downing Street and ask … the government of the UK, to stop the weapons and arms of Israel.”

He added that Muslim charities raise “hundreds or thousands” of donations for Gaza, while new legal groups in London have launched cases against Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to prevent them from visiting the UK.

Alkarmi pointed to shifting public opinion: “Two weeks ago, 65% from the British people support the Palestinian case. In Europe, about 60 or 62% … are against Israel and support the Palestinian case. This is a change, step by step.”

He credited the younger, social media-driven generation with driving this momentum, saying: “They have the truth, not from the mainstream media like BBC or Reuters… but the truth story about Palestine, about Gaza. Now, we have a new generation … in the future, this generation will … be the rulers in the parliament.”

“This is a change, step by step, (for) Palestinians to reach their prize.”  

 'Islamic and Humanitarian Responsibility: Gaza'

The conference, titled Islamic and Humanitarian Responsibility: Gaza, is jointly organized by IUMS and the Foundation for Islamic Scholars in Türkiye. Bringing together more than 150 scholars and representatives from over 50 countries, it addresses Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the broader response of the Muslim world.

In previous days of the conference, leading figures such as IUMS President Sheikh Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi, Türkiye’s top cleric Ali Erbas, and IUMS Secretary-General Sheikh Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi stressed the urgent duty to deliver aid to Palestinians. Contributions were also made by Sheikh Ahmed Hassan al-Taha of the Iraqi Fiqh Council and Professor Nasrullah Hacimuftuoglu, president of the Foundation for Islamic Scholars in Türkiye.

The gathering began Friday with prayers at Istanbul’s Eyup Sultan Mosque and will conclude on Aug. 29 at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, where the “Istanbul Declaration” will be announced, outlining “concrete steps for political, humanitarian, and legal action” in support of the Palestinian cause.