Ayatollah Noori Hamedani’s Message For Gaza

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

To the noble nations of the Islamic World,
To the most knowledgeable scholars,
To the Muslim and free-thinking governments:

“And if they seek help from you in the matter of religion, then it is your duty to help them.”
[Quran 08:72]

Once again, the conscience of humanity and pure innate natures have been shaken by a heinous and disgraceful crime perpetrated by the child-killing Zionist regime. Oppressed Gaza is today not only burning under relentless bombardment, but is also trapped under a siege of food, medicine, and basic human needs.

Widespread hunger, the oppressive martyrdom of children, women, the elderly, and the sick, and the heart-wrenching scenes of innocent, defenseless people dying, causes pain to the heart of every free human being.

These acts are not only clear instances of genocide and war crimes, but they are utterly unjustifiable by any human, legal, religious, or international standard. The cry of the oppressed people of Gaza is today a great test for the scholars of Islam, the leaders of Islamic countries, and international organizations.

In a time when the cry of the oppressed people of Palestine – especially in Gaza – has reached the ears of the world, awakened human consciences across the globe have risen in anger at the blatant oppression committed by the Zionist regime against defenseless people.

In this context, a heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of religious scholars and Islamic governments – because not only according to human standards, but also by the command of the Quran and the Sunnah, they are obligated to defend the oppressed and confront oppression.

The duty of religious scholars in these sensitive and historic circumstances is to issue supportive religious verdicts (Fatwas), to call for unity against a common enemy, and to take influential and effective steps by clearly condemning the Zionist regime and any form of normalization of relations with it.

Encouraging people to materially and spiritually support the Palestinian nation, utilizing Friday and congregational prayer platforms, and making use of the capacities of seminaries, universities, and media to awaken the Islamic Ummah – these are critical religious, political, and social duties upon all of us. Naturally, neglect or laxity in fulfilling them will entail consequences both in the world and the Hereafter.

Islamic governments, too, are obligated – not only by the bonds of religious solidarity, but also from a human and humanitarian rights perspective – to take a decisive stance in the face of the war crimes of the occupying Zionist regime. Regrettably, in many instances we have witnessed silence, or even cooperation, from some governments with this regime.

Islamic governments are expected to cut or suspend diplomatic ties with the Zionist regime, to use the capacities of international bodies to condemn and punish the regime, to send humanitarian and medical aid to the people of Gaza, and to formally adopt support for the legitimate resistance of the Palestinian people as part of their official policy.

The indifference of religious scholars and Islamic governments not only leads to the continuation of oppression, but also weakens the standing of Islam on the global stage.
Islamic unity and the awakening of the Ummah can only be realized through practical action and genuine support for the oppressed.

The younger generation of Muslims is attentively observing the conduct of religious scholars and political leaders, and view their silence as a sign of hypocrisy or weakness in religious commitment.

Now is the time for all sincere forces within the Islamic World – be they scholars, intellectuals, or statesmen – to set aside internal differences and fulfill their Islamic and human duty regarding the people of Gaza.

The awakening of the Islamic Ummah requires a cry for justice and coordinated action.

The tragedy of Gaza is not only a humanitarian crisis, but a historical test for the Islamic World.

The scholars of Islam must take the lead in this movement of awakening, and Islamic governments must prove themselves worthy of the title “Islamic.”

If today we remain silent before the shedding of innocent blood, tomorrow it will be the turn of other lands.

We are certain that the divine promise of supporting the oppressed and bringing down the oppressors is unbreakable:

“Indeed, the wrongdoers will never succeed.”
[Quran 08:135]

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all.
Husayn Noori Hamedani
July 24, 2025