Address from
Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation
To Fellow Believers in Light of the Escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
The number of casualties resulting from the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has reached into the thousands and is on the verge of causing a severe humanitarian crisis. The Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation calls upon all parties involved to demonstrate their commitment to ending the bloodshed, avoiding senseless harm to civilians, refraining from indiscriminate use of force, and putting an end to collective punishment of innocent civilians. These actions are not only in accordance with the sacred scriptures of the Abrahamic religions but are also required by international humanitarian law.
For nearly three decades, every year on the final Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the Moscow Cathedral Mosque has organized International Al-Quds Day as a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a stand for the protection of the third-holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We gather ambassadors from numerous Muslim states, along with people of goodwill, to bring to the public's attention the Palestinian people's rightful claim to establish their own state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
It is imperative to emphasize that the underlying cause of the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the failure to implement the UN resolution regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state and UN resolutions in general. Without addressing this inconsistency and injustice, the conflict will continue to resist resolution. The Religious Board of Muslims advocates an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of work by the Quartet of international mediators to ensure the prompt realization of the UN's decisions.
As President Vladimir Putin rightly stated, "The Palestinian issue is close to the hearts of every Muslim, seen as an unparalleled injustice." The hearts of Russian Muslims resonate with the events unfolding in the Holy Land, home to three Abrahamic religions.
It is of utmost importance that we do not allow this long-standing and deeply painful conflict to take on an interreligious dimension. The Almighty has ordained the coexistence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the Holy Land, and such coexistence is the destiny of our homeland, Russia. We are obligated to safeguard peace within our nation, which includes preserving the harmonious relations between communities of various religious traditions.
Our deep sentiments for Palestine and the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque should be transformed into humanitarian assistance for those suffering and sincere supplications to the Lord of all worlds, imploring for the preservation of lives and the establishment of peace.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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