Russia's 19th International Muslim Forum Emphasizes Urgency of Gaza Situation

IQNA – The 19th edition of the International Forum of Russia and the Islamic World was held in Moscow as speakers focused on the dire situation of Gaza.

Religious figures, ambassadors and political officials from 18 countries attended the meeting held in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque on Tuesday.

Addressing the event, Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, said that the establishment of a Palestinian state holds the key to terminating violence and fostering enduring peace and stability in West Asia.

Gainutdin further delved into the complexities of the Palestinian situation, remarking on its historical origins and the protracted 76-year conflict that has resulted in the loss of 100,000 lives and the displacement of several million people, Anadolu Agency reported.

He highlighted the dire humanitarian consequences in the Gaza Strip, where the relentless Israeli attacks since October 7 have killed more than 18,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Underlining the imperative for a political resolution, Gainutdin cautioned against the perpetuation of violence, warning that it could incite further conflicts.

Gainutdin underscored Russia's stance in favor of establishing an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East al-Quds.

Hojat-ol-Islam Hamid Shahriari, Secretary General of the World Forum for the Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, underscored justice as the paramount social value, emphasizing the pressing importance of the Palestinian issue as the top priority for the Islamic world.

Expressing condemnation, Kazem Jalali, the Iranian Ambassador to Moscow, decried the Israeli regime's brutality spanning over seven decades as a stain on humanity. He urged international organizations to fulfill their responsibilities in addressing the situation in Gaza, highlighting that there is no justification for the indiscriminate killing of vulnerable civilians.

Abdel Hafiz Nofal, the Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow, reflected on 75 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, asserting the unwavering determination of every Palestinian to remain in their homeland despite ongoing Israeli assaults.

In addition, participants emphasized the need for the creation of an interreligious charter encompassing traditional spiritual values. They also underscored the pivotal role of spiritual leaders in finding resolutions to the armed conflict in Palestine.

Source: Agencies