October 19, 2023, New Delhi: In a meeting organized by Indian friends of Palestine at the Constitution Club of India, Maulana Mahmood Madani, President of Jamiatul Ulema Hind, urged India to stay true to the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and embrace the Palestinian people in the hour of need. He said, “The attitude displayed by a few groups has let the country down”. The JUH President praised the Jewish people for standing up and separating themselves from Zionists and their hateful agenda. He also raised apprehensions about our societal shift towards becoming a “Police State”.

The President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Syed Sadatullah Husaini, said, “The ongoing atrocities in Gaza are a gross violation of human rights and every value cherished in the past few centuries”. He further remarked, “The hypocrisy, the blatant double standards and moral bankruptcy of the West, who are watching as silent bystanders and enablers of the current conflict, stands thoroughly exposed . He added, “This is a trial of humanity that will determine if it stands with Palestine in the face of brutality & hostility.” He urged for solidarity and extension of support to Palestinians engaged in a struggle against apartheid just as “Nelson Mandela”.

Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salafi, President of Jamiat Ahl e Hadees Hind, emphasized that India should play the role of Vishwaguru, and help in mitigating the present crisis. He raised concern about the negative role played by the media.

Danish Ali, a Member of Parliament expressed concern about the near-total silence on the Palestinian issue. He said the protest in Capitol Hill, by Jews separates chalk and cheese, that Judaism is not Zionism. He said that India’s historical legacy mandates our proactive role and extending solidarity across sections of society on this issue.

John Dayal, a veteran writer and journalist recounted his various visits to Palestine and expressed his concern on the inhumane conditions of Gaza and the occupation by Israel. He extended the call of the Pope for immediate Ceasefire.

KC Tyagi, former MP, remarked that India was the first non-Arab country to recognize Palestine’s Statehood. He lamented the demographic change in Palestine where Palestinians own a mere 7%. of their original land. He expressed his deep angst against the silence of the world against the bombing of hospitals and Schools.

Academician Aditya Nigam, Arya Vittal from Arya Samaj, Prof Shashi Shekhar & Prof Saleem Engineer were among the delegates present on the occasion.

The call for the meeting was given to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israel. The program is an attempt to give voice to the plight of the besieged Gazans as hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians including women and children are facing a “real catastrophe” as Israel’s non-stop bombardment continues since October 7. The latest Israeli barbarism resulted in the massacre of 850 Palestinians through the bombardment of a hospital in Gaza. So far more than 2,800 including at least 1,000 children, have been killed in the Israeli bombardment. The ongoing Palestine crisis is a humanitarian crisis and we all need to raise our voices on the carnage.”