UKRAINIANS, just like the Palestinians, are going through an ordeal in the shape of their beloved homeland being invaded, and their families being killed, by a foreign power. And Russians, just like the Zionists, claimed they have the right over the land.
But there is a major point to ponder: why, in the face of such similarities, the global community reacted in such a dissimilar attitude?
Out of all the condemnations, the most amusing, and indeed the most infuriating, is the one coming from Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. With utmost hypocrisy, and no shame to spare, he publicly denounced Russian attack as ‘a serious violation of international order’. He further illuminates the statement by pointing out Israel has experienced many wars, and war is not the way to resolve the conflict.
It is disgusting to say the least, listening to this call for peace from a government which according to Amnesty International, conducted extensive seizures of Palestinian land and countless unlawful killings. As of today, 42 percent of West Bank are controlled by illegal settlements, and 86 percent of East Jerusalem for Israeli state and settlers.
Yet, the world could not hear the deafening noise of the cry for help coming from Palestine. Their voice muffled, not reaching the ears of the global community. Apparently out of fear of Israel’s strongest ally, the United Sates.
There are some people out there, saying this is not the right time to shift the focus to Palestinian struggle. By doing so, they claimed, is to be played into the Russian hands. As if this ‘shifting’ in its implied manner is to condone the Ukraine invasion by saying “if Israel can do it, why can’t the Russians”.
No, that is not the point. It has never been, nor ever will it be.
The point is, the Palestinians, along with those in Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, are witnessing such effective measures being taken by the world to impose pressure on Russia, but almost nothing to the oppressors of their lands.
The ‘Swift sanction’ alone is very significant in pressuring Russia from a financial standpoint. What a swift action taken by the Western world, while they cannot even find the ‘on switch’ for actions against Israel since The Nakba in 1948.
We are not saying the Ukrainians should not be protected. We are saying every human’s right to life and self-determination should be accorded the same value, notwithstanding any differences of race, religion, color of their skin or geography.
And for the Muslim ummah all over the world, this realization and lessons from the world’s actions and reactions, should be the latest wake-up call after numerous previous wake-up calls, that to have a political power in line with the teaching of Islam is ever so crucial in confronting defining moments to come.
Any effort and gesture in garnering the support for an Islamic political cause, either from individuals or organisations is priceless in value.
In Kelantan, the state government allocated a special site known as ‘Laman Cakna Palestin’. The resistance of the Palestinian people is told through murals on the walls depicting their bravery and utmost faith in the promise of Allah.
The Menteri Besar of Kelantan Dato’ Bentara Kanan Ahmad Yakob said that the site is important to nurture in the hearts of the Kelantanese the pedagogy of solidarity with our oppressed Muslim brothers and sisters.
As always being reiterated by PAS President Tuan Guru Haji Hadi Awang, “Islam is the only solution”.
MUHAMMAD NABIL ZULKIFLI
Darulnaim Research Centre – HARAKAHDAILY 8/3/2022
