Press Release
O Scholars of Egypt: Palestine Needs an Army to Support It, Call for the Mobilization of Troops for Its Aid or Keep your Condemnations of the Crimes of the Jews to Yourselves for your Silence has already Betrayed its People
(Translated)

Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, the Minister of Endowments, condemned the “Israeli” entity's bombing of dozens of Palestinians at the Tabi'in School in eastern Gaza City, which shelters hundreds of displaced people from various areas of the Gaza Strip. The attack occurred during the dawn prayer, resulting in over 100 martyrs and dozens of injured, according to the Palestinian News Agency "Wafa." Al-Azhari emphasized that for all Egyptians, the fundamental issue of Palestine remains a priority. He noted that while Sudanese and Libyan brothers, among others, live among us temporarily until matters calm down in their countries, there remains a homeland called Sudan or Libya to which they can return. However, for Palestinian brothers, there is a fear that if they leave their land, the occupation will take over, completely erasing the Palestinian cause, leaving no homeland called Palestine for them to return to. Al-Azhari stressed the need to cease fire and ensure the delivery of all forms of humanitarian aid and assistance to the brothers in Palestine. He affirmed that the only just solution to the issue is the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (Al-Ahram Gate, 10/8/2024).

Al-Azhar strongly condemned the brutal bombing carried out by the Zionist occupation forces. In its condemnation of this criminal terrorist attack, Al-Azhar expressed its prayers for the martyrs of this massacre and offered condolences to the surviving members of their families. Al-Azhar called on all the free people of the world to continue pressing by all means on this terrorist entity to stop its crimes and acts of genocide that it practices daily against the rightful owners of the land in Palestine. It also reminded everyone that history will not forgive those who are complacent or remain silent in the face of these heinous crimes. (Youm7, 10/8/2024).

Between the call for the free people of the world to pressure the Zionists and the abandonment of most of the land of Palestine in favor of establishing a state on the 1967 borders, neighboring the Zionist entity and implicitly recognizing it, comes the response of Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) to the crimes of the Zionists as if they are rewarding them for cold-bloodedly killing our people there.

The address by the Sheikh of Al-Azhar to the free people of the world will not deter the Zionists, stop their crimes, or liberate our blessed land. The Zionists are nothing more than an advanced Western base in our lands, created by the West to prevent the unity of the Ummah and to wage war against it if it ever regains its sovereignty and establishes a state governed by Islam. For this reason, the entire West stands behind the Zionists, supporting their survival even if they annihilate all the people of Palestine. The dissatisfaction of their own populations with their hypocrisy and their claims of democracy and freedoms will neither disturb them nor halt their support for the Zionists.

Therefore, the address should not be directed at the International Community or the free people of the world but must be directed at the armies of the Ummah to fulfill their obligation to liberate the entirety of Palestine.

As for Osama Al-Azhari, the Minister of Endowments, he issued a nonsensical and misleading fatwa! He is drumming up nationalism as a substitute for the bond of Islam and its creed, considering our people in Sudan, Libya, and Palestine as mere guests in Egypt. He justifies the regime's crimes against the people of Palestine by claiming that it is in their best interest so that they may have a homeland to return to, according to his distorted logic! He then uttered what could be considered the worst statement to come from the mouth of a scholar, saying, "The only just solution to the issue is the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital!"

So, O Azahari! The lands of Islam are one unified territory, and no borders should separate them. If you claim otherwise, then bring forth evidence and a legitimate Shari'ah proof. The people of Palestine, Libya, and Sudan are not merely guests in Egypt; rather, it is their land and home just as much as it is yours, as they are Muslims. It is impermissible to separate us from Palestine with borders, nor is Palestine solely the homeland of Palestinians. Palestine is a land that belongs to the entire Ummah, and even the people of Palestine have no right to relinquish it or accept a small state on the 1967 borders that you consider a solution.

Be aware, Azahari, that the complete liberation of Palestine is an obligation upon the entire Ummah, especially the surrounding countries. It is an even greater obligation upon Egypt and its army, being the closest, the strongest, and the most capable. If the army does not move, neglects its duty, and fails to support the people of Palestine, as it is required to do, then it becomes the duty of scholars to incite them and urge the people to demand that the army act to remove every obstacle preventing them from moving forward and liberating all the lands of Islam, not just Palestine.

What more massacres and crimes against the Ummah must occur before the scholars rise in anger for the sake of Allah, His sanctities, and His holy sites, and raise their voices, urging the armies to move in support of the people of Gaza and the entire blessed land? The movement of the armies has been an obligation since the very first day the impure feet of the Jews set foot on our blessed land, and now it is more imperative than ever to support these oppressed people.

O scholars of Egypt: Your knowledge should not serve a regime that fights your Deen, relinquishes your land, executes the plans of your enemy, and protects those who kill your brothers. It is not permissible for you to become a tool to justify the regime's crimes or to mislead the people of Egypt, preventing them from fulfilling what Allah has obligated upon them, which is to urge the Egyptian army to rise above the regime of treachery and liberate the blessed lands of Islam, supporting its oppressed people. Your knowledge necessitates that you guide the thoughts and religion of the people of Egypt and that you direct them towards what Allah has obligated upon them. If the armies do not move, then it is your duty to address them and to incite the people of Egypt to stand up and demand their immediate action. This is your duty, and you will be sinful if you neglect it, O scholars of Egypt.

O soldiers of Egypt: We know that the regime stands between you and moving to support the people of Palestine, to liberate their land, and to uproot the usurping entity from it. We know that you yearn for this, but while our people are being killed there, it is not permissible for you to remain idle. Your duty is to liberate all of Palestine, support its oppressed people, and lift the injustice from them. Let your example be the Messenger of Allah (saw), who declared the call to arms, marched to Fath Mecca, and said,

«لَا نَصَرَنِي اللهُ إِنْ لَمْ أَنْصُرْ بَنِي كَعْبٍ» “May Allah not grant me victory if I do not support the Banu Ka'b.” Uproot along your way everything that stands between you and this duty, including corrupt regimes and rulers, and declare it for Allah—a state that supports Islam and its people, unites its lands, and brings its peoples together as one Ummah in one state: the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate) on the method of the Prophethood.

[وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ]

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.” [Aal-i-Imran:187].

Media Office of Hizb utTahrir
in Wilayah Egypt