AN UUCSA PRESS STATEMENT

 

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) expresses its deep concern over numerous reports of ill-treatment faced by international activists— including South Africans— who have gathered in Egypt in an effort to break the siege on Gaza.

 

The Global March to Gaza is a grassroots civic initiative comprising Ulama, medical professionals, parliamentarians, lawyers, and humanitarians from over 80 countries. United by a common purpose, they have come together to end the blockade of the land passage to Gaza, and establish a permanent humanitarian corridor to ensure the safe delivery of aid. By maintaining a strong civilian presence in Egypt, the initiative seeks to generate international moral and media pressure— a people’s effort to act where governments have failed.

 

In spite of organisers seeking to coordinate the march with Egyptian authorities and pursuing all channels of communication, there has been widespread detention and interrogation of participants throughout the week. Plain-clothes police rounded up activists in Cairo hotels, interrogating them, and in some cases confiscating mobile phones and searching personal belongings. On Friday, hundreds of activists had their passports confiscated en route to Ismailia and were forcibly loaded onto buses and returned to Cairo in an attempt to thwart their planned action.

 

We salute the courage and sacrifices of the activists who have travelled from across the world to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. These activists represent the conscience of humanity and the latest urgent attempt to prevent the total annihilation of Gaza.

 

Egypt is Gaza’s neighbour, and as such bears a singular Ummatic, historical, political, and humanitarian obligation toward the Palestinians of Gaza. It is morally indefensible for Egypt to repeatedly express concern over the starvation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza while consistently avoiding the bold, consequential actions well within its means— and actively obstructing the peaceful efforts of others— to change this dire status quo.

 

It is notable that Egyptian exports to Israel doubled in 2024—amidst the ongoing genocide—reaching $284 million, compared to the previous year. During this period, Israeli warships have continued to pass through the Suez Canal, and the Taba Crossing has remained open to Israeli citizens. Such decisions raise serious questions about Egypt’s role. When avenues are opened to an occupying force while being closed to those seeking to uphold justice, complicity becomes difficult to deny.

 

It is imperative that the Global March to Gaza and similar initiatives be allowed to proceed without hindrance, and that the safety of participants be fully guaranteed. We call on the public, South African authorities, media, and diplomatic missions to monitor the situation closely and to apply sustained pressure on the Egyptian government to ensure that these efforts unfold peacefully and without interference.

 

Released by:

 

Y. Patel (Moulana)
UUCSA Secretary General

 

18 Dhū al Ḥijjah 1446/14 June 2025

 

*UUCSA (United Ulama Council of South Africa) is an umbrella body comprising nine affiliate members. It represents approximately 1500 Muslim Scholars. It has a national foot print across the nine provinces of South Africa.

 

Head Office:
P.O. Box 38311, Gatesville, 7764, Cape Town, South Africa,
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