In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Compassionate,

لَا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوءِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ إِلا مَنْ ظُلِمَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا (نساء/148)

It is now nearly six months since the atrocious Zionist regime has begun its brutal and vicious onslaught against the innocent Palestinian civilians in the Gaza strip, killing a staggering number of civilians and committing crimes against humanity which are almost without precedent in the history of mankind. During this barbaric assault, more than tens of thousands of people were killed and gone missing, and hundreds of thousands of people were dislocated and are left without a roof over their heads, most of whom are defenseless and innocent women and children.

Today, although the true bloodthirsty and barbaric nature of this atrocious regime has become manifest, more than ever, to the whole world, and its brutal genocide in Gaza has awakened the long-untroubled conscience of the people of the world, we witness, to our utter disbelief, that this bloodthirsty regime continues its acts of genocide as a result of the inaction and silence of the countries and international organizations that are the so-called supporters of human rights, something that is undoubtedly evidence of their total lack of regard for human rights!

Even now that the western countries, particularly the United States and its allies, are no longer able to openly and directly support the excessive and unspeakable crimes against humanity committed by this illegitimate regime, the heads of this barbaric regime still continue their onslaught against the people of Gaza and also use their man-made famine as a weapon to put even more pressure on these innocent people!

The photos of the situation in Gaza, which show the depth of the atrocities and brutalities of the Zionist regime committed against the innocent Palestinian men, women, and children have enraged the free-spirited people all around the world and horrified all the people around the globe! The extent of the brutality of the Zionist regime has been to the point where it has even triggered some of the selfish profiteers in the west to voice their objection to them and it has brought some of the international organizations to acknowledge that the Zionist regime has committed racist genocide and to call for a cessation of the atrocities being committed in Gaza.

On the other hand, these days there are whispers of planning to violate the sanctity of the Islamic holy places, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque which is an indispensable part of the Muslim world; without doubt, this calls for immediate action on the part of all Muslims of the world. I believe that it is incumbent upon all Muslim scholars, from all Muslim schools of thought, to act in defense of the innocent people of Gaza and to force Muslim heads of state as well as other countries of the world, through their unity and with the support of the Muslim Ummah, to exert all-out pressure on the Zionist regime to end its barbaric invasion and siege of Gaza, agree to an immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Zionist occupiers from Gaza, allow aids to be given to the injured and the war-torn areas to be rebuilt, and prepare the conditions for the return of the displaced people of Gaza to their homes. All must continue their efforts until these goals are achieved otherwise none will have an excuse before the Almighty Allah for their inaction!

In the end, I ask the free-spirited and respectable people of Iran and all the Muslim people around the world to participate enthusiastically in the International Quds Day rallies in order to condemn the atrocities of the Zionist regime. I also pray to Allah for the comfort of the bereaved, His Mercy and Compassion upon the martyred, and the emancipation of all the oppressed, particularly the innocent people of Gaza, from the clasp of the oppressors. I hope that Allah will grant all Muslims glory and triumph in this blessed and sacred month.

Qom

Nasser Makarem Shirazi