All-praises belong to Allah, the Almighty, the Giver of Succour, besides whom there is no helper.

 

The announcement of a cease-fire agreement for Gaza, has been received with scenes of jubilation outside tents, in what remains of mosques or homes, and on the streets of the overwhelmingly devastated Palestinian territory. It is a development which has brought great relief among peace-loving people around the world. The emotional reaction to the news is a testament to the significance of this moment of respite, coming after nearly 470 days of unrelenting and genocidal Israeli bombing campaign.

 

Palestinians have triumphed by merely remaining in Gaza. After the martyrdom of nearly 50 000, by conservative estimates, and the near-collapse of every life-sustaining amenity and social infrastructure, the genocide in Gaza has laid bare the failure of Zionist grand designs, through nihilistic warfare that has gone way beyond claims of avenging the October 7 attacks, by the resistance. In the end, Netanyahu agreed to the same truce which he had rejected during 2024, dismally prolonging mass murders, for at least seven months.

 

The cease-fire marks a milestone in the decline of the Zionist project which has exposed its true colonial nature of dehumanisation of a people, violations of international humanitarian laws and a total disdain for international conventions. For Palestinians, it is another day closer to their liberation, which is watered by the blood of the martyrs, guarded by unflinching steadfastness, and passed on through generations of struggle, underpinned by resilience and a deep sense of honour.

 

We salute the growing number of voices of individuals, organisations and nations that have stood by the people of Palestine, amplifying their cries of pain and openly demanding accountability from the Zionists and their supporters. They will be judged fairly for standing up for humanity, in moments when ephemeral material comfort demanded silence.

 

To the corners of the world that abetted these atrocities, providing the wherewithal to Israel with which to maim women, children and the elderly, ignoring the screams from beneath the rubble, and providing political cover for monstrous war crimes, history will judge your legacy as that of depravity.

 

For the war criminals in Tel Aviv, their day of reckoning is getting closer. Wanton air strikes, which have intensified since the announcement of the timeline to a cease-fire, against civilians in tented camps, shelters and “safe zones”, in total disregard for Palestinians lives, will not forever go without being answerable.

 

To the Muslim Ummah, this is a moment of reflection. Both our senses of helplessness or the resilience to stay the course, are linked to our level of faith. It is time to return to Allah, with humility, seek forgiveness and rekindle our connection to the defence of Palestine, the land of the Isra and Miraj. The example of Palestinian steadfastness should shake us up from the slumber, steer us towards rectitude, and start demanding accountability from the leaders, whose complicity through acts of commission or omission belie their words of solidarity with the oppressed.

 

In the final analysis, the rest of the world owes it to the Palestinian people, whose aspirations for freedom will be realised by ending Israel’s Apartheid and illegal occupation of the territories on which they have the right to exercise their self-determination.

 

We supplicate to Allah to liberate Muslim lands from the oppressors, heal the injured and the broken hearts of the people of Palestine, accept those killed as martyrs, and wipe the tears of the bereaving, orphaned and distressed. We pray to Allah to grant us the courage with which to resist oppression wherever it manifests. Aameen.

 

Released by:

 

The Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

16 Rajab 1446 / 16 January 2025