On March 4, 2025, Egypt’s Islamic institutions condemned Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting the violation of human rights, particularly during Ramadan. Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and other officials called for urgent international action to lift the blockade and ensure aid delivery, emphasizing the need for accountability and support for the Palestinian people.
Cairo – On March 4, 2025, Egypt’s prominent Islamic institutions, including Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Ministry of Endowments, and Dar Al-Iftaa, expressed their strong condemnation of the Israeli government’s recent decision to block humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip. In a formal statement, Al-Azhar denounced the actions of the Israeli forces, highlighting the severe humanitarian implications of halting aid conveyors intended for innocent civilians in Gaza.
Al-Azhar criticized the Israeli authorities for depriving vulnerable populations, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Such actions, they argued, showcased a lack of compassion and respect for human dignity, further exploiting religious observances to inflict suffering. The institution defined this denial of essential aid as a “reprehensible crime” under Islamic principles, demanding accountability for those responsible.
The institution called upon Islamic governments to utilize their diplomatic power to alleviate the blockade on Gaza, especially during Ramadan. They expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis that forces Palestinians into desperate situations, urging the international community to fulfill their moral obligations by ending the unjust blockade and ensuring immediate access for aid convoys into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced an immediate halt to aid flow into Gaza, coinciding with the expiration of a ceasefire agreement. A temporary extension of the ceasefire has been granted for six weeks, aligning with both Ramadan and the Jewish holiday Pesach, but the situation remains critical for the people in Gaza.
The Egyptian Minister of Endowments, Osama Al-Azhari, condemned the Israeli decision, labeling it a gross violation of international laws, which exacerbates the plight of Palestinians. He asserted that obstructions to humanitarian aid constitute a humanitarian crime, stressing that victims, particularly women, children, and the elderly, now face life-threatening conditions as a result.
Minister Al-Azhari urged the international community and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israeli authorities for safe aid delivery to Gaza. He warned that overlooking these violations implicates complicity with the injustices seen in the region, calling for a decisive stance against the oppression of the Palestinian people, who deserve the right to live with dignity and establish a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad, Grand Mufti of the Republic, also vocally condemned Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid, reiterating the urgent need for a response to the crisis. The Egyptian institutions further emphasized that the suffering in Gaza must be addressed immediately to uphold human rights and ensure aid reaches those in need.
In conclusion, Egypt’s Islamic institutions have firmly condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing the moral duty of the international community to intervene. They stress the need for immediate action to facilitate aid and uphold human dignity, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. The call for accountability and support for the Palestinian people’s rights resonates strongly in their appeals, reflecting an urgent need for resolution and justice.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
