Palestine, which harbors al-Quds, whose sanctity is clearly stated in the Holy Qur’an, and Masjid al-Aqsa, which is its heart, is a blessed land that has served as a sanctuary for many prophets and witnessed their struggle for faith and tawhid. The lands of Palestine, particularly the city of al-Quds and the revered Masjid al-Aqsa, constitute a great value entrusted to the believers by the prophets as a prophetic legacy. Our beloved Prophet (saw), the final prophet in the chain of prophethood, attached special importance to this trust, urging his companions and all Muslims to uphold its sanctity. Indeed, this belief and sensitivity have historically motivated Muslims to accord al-Quds a position of exceptional reverence. Al-Quds, which opened its gates to Muslims during the reign of ‘Umar (ra), has experienced its best times for about five centuries. It has become a landmark city where people of different faiths have coexisted in peace and security for centuries and where the best examples of peace, justice, and compassion have been exhibited. Furthermore, al-Quds served as a stage for the rarest expressions of respect for the sacred, tolerance, and harmonious coexistence.
These lands, embodying the historical narrative and shared values of humanity, also flourished under Muslim rule as a significant center of knowledge and wisdom. However, it has been occupied from time to time in the historical process and has witnessed unprecedented massacres each time. In such periods, Muslims as well as other religious groups were subjected to great persecution and injustice. Yet, fueled by the resolute struggles of Muslims, this land, a cherished heritage of the prophets, has repeatedly regained its freedom. Indeed, in the 12th century, Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (Saladin) brought an end to the eighty-eight-year Crusader occupation. His leadership restored security and peace to the region, ensuring the rights and legal protection of all inhabitants, and re-established al-Quds’ identity as Dar al-Salam (Abode of Peace).
Incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in 1516, al-Quds flourished under Suleiman the Magnificent’s reign, becoming one of the era’s most magnificent cities through construction projects. During this period, the region, which stood out with its foundation and educational activities, became a center of attraction in economic, social, and cultural life. Subsequent Ottoman sultans continued to serve Palestine and its inhabitants with a sense of worship. However, following the decline of Ottoman control in the wake of World War I, al-Quds and its surroundings began to lose their ideal characteristics once again. The influx of Jewish populations migrating from Europe and elsewhere, orchestrated by an insidious plan, marked the initial stages of the ongoing occupation. This event fundamentally disrupted the equilibrium of the entire region, with lasting consequences. For nearly a century, Palestine has endured occupation, witnessing the destruction of historical sites, the dispossession of Palestinians of their fundamental rights, and the ongoing oppression, persecution, and torture inflicted upon Muslims.
Today, a rampaging group of people who disregard conscience, morality, law, and humanity continue to commit atrocities in alQuds, Gaza, and Palestine, the city of prophets and the land of peace, in front of the eyes of the whole world. Today, al-Quds and the Palestinian territories are witnessing the greatest tragedy in the history of humanity with the murders committed by the zionist minority, who have no respect for any sanctity. Disregarding law, morality, and humanitarian values, the band of murderers is brutally massacring innocent people—men, women, children, and the elderly—in front of the eyes of the world and committing a great crime against humanity. This sick and racist mentality, which does not recognize the right to life for those who do not belong to it, burns and destroys whole cities without regard to hospitals, schools, and places of worship, and condemns millions of people to death in starvation and thirst. The sovereign powers, capital owners, and international organizations, on the other hand, do not raise their voices against this zionist atrocity that makes people ashamed of their humanity and only watch the genocide being committed openly. Israel, which has existed for nearly a century as an instrument of corruption on usurped lands with imperialist ambitions and has systematically committed terrorist crimes, threatens all humanity and world peace today.
In fact, every trauma experienced in the last two centuries, especially in Palestine, is closely related to global imperialism. Those who owe their existence to the colonial order imposed upon subjugated regions have demonstrably brought about a state of disarray, disorder, conflict, and death wherever their influence extends. Palestine, which has been struggling for existence under occupation for nearly a century, is the clearest example of this fact. However, this state of affairs will not last forever. This is because the dirty propaganda produced in line with zionist ambitions is no longer enough to conceal the crimes committed by Israel. Indeed, in this process, we see that people of conscience, academics, members of different religions, and many non-governmental organizations from all over the world have reacted to the massacre in Gaza. People of different religions, languages, races, colors, and countries who have never met each other are raising their voices for a common cause: a free Palestine. Besides, the ancient history of Palestine tells us that “one cannot be rendered prosperous by oppression”. Therefore, the ultimate victory will, of course, reside with the good. The occupying oppressors, who have been mercilessly slaughtering innocent people for nearly a century, will one day have to pay for their crimes of murder and genocide, and they will be condemned to be abased in the conscience of humanity.
