Islamabad, April 10, 2025 – At the National Palestine Conference held in Islamabad on Thursday, Mufti Taqi Usmani, a globally respected Islamic scholar and leader of Wifaq-ul-Madaris, issued a powerful call for a worldwide Muslim boycott of Israel and its supporters. Addressing a gathering of clerics from diverse Islamic traditions, he condemned the international community’s inaction amid the escalating crisis in Gaza and Palestine, urging peaceful yet resolute action.
Mufti Usmani emphasized that protests must align with Sharia principles, explicitly forbidding violence or damage to property. “Harming lives or throwing stones is not permissible,” he stated, referencing a recent mob attack on a fast-food outlet in Mirpurkhas as an example of conduct to avoid. Instead, he advocated for a total economic boycott of Israeli products and companies aiding the state, calling it a peaceful yet potent weapon against oppression.
The conference, attended by prominent figures like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, where over 60,000 Palestinians, including women and children, have reportedly been killed. Speakers accused Israel of genocide and criticized Muslim nations for their inaction. “If our armies and weapons are not for defending Gaza, what are they for?” Mufti Usmani questioned, igniting a debate on the role of military jihad.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman labeled Israel a “terrorist state” and insisted that mere condemnation was insufficient. “Jihad is now a religious duty,” he declared, urging Muslim countries to deploy forces to Gaza. Mushtaq Ahmed Khan echoed this sentiment, praising Hamas’ resistance and questioning the commitment of the 57 Islamic nations.
The conference concluded with a bold resolution declaring Israel’s occupation illegal and jihad an obligation for Muslims worldwide. It demanded an end to diplomatic ties with nations recognizing Israel, a no-contact policy until a ceasefire is secured, and an emergency UN session. Pakistan was urged to spearhead the effort, reaffirming its historic stance—rooted in Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s rejection of Israel’s legitimacy—of non-recognition.
The clerics also condemned the United States for enabling Israeli aggression and dismissed Donald Trump’s remarks on relocating Palestinians, asserting Palestine’s historical right to its land. Tomorrow was designated the “Day of the Oppressed Palestinians,” a global call for solidarity with those enduring decades of occupation.
As the Muslim world grapples with its response, the conference’s unified voice signals a potential shift toward collective action, blending peaceful resistance with calls for military intervention.
