Islamonweb

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stated on Sunday that the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7, 2023, led to the collapse of the Israeli narrative globally and renewed the Ummah’s consciousness.

Mahathir made these remarks during the opening of the 7th Kuala Lumpur Forum for Thought and Civilization in Istanbul, Turkey. The forum, held under the theme “Palestine: The Catalyst for Civilizational Revival,” Started on Sunday, 6 October, will run for three days until Tuesday, featuring seminars and sessions focused on the Palestinian issue.

Co-hosted by Algeria’s Baraka Association, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, and Turkey’s Human and Civilization Movement, the conference drew a prominent gathering of scholars, intellectuals, and civil society leaders.

The forum’s participants called for unified efforts to support the “Al-Aqsa Flood” and urged engagement through all possible means, emphasizing that this moment is a pivotal opportunity to refocus on the Palestinian cause and the broader struggle for liberation.

Mahathir Mohamad’s Address: Palestine at the Heart of the Forum

In a recorded message, Mahathir Mohamad, the forum’s founder and former Malaysian Prime Minister, reaffirmed that the forum has consistently remained true to its mission of convening scholars and intellectuals to discuss the affairs of the Muslim Ummah. He expressed his gratitude to the organizers for choosing a theme that connects the Palestinian cause with the wider Ummah’s revival, applauding the timing of the event, which coincides with the anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.
Mahathir emphasized the significance of this date, marking a pivotal moment when Palestinians sent a strong message of their resolve to reclaim their land, reject the expansion of illegal settlements, and oppose repeated attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque. He condemned the ongoing support for these violations by the United States and Western powers, calling it a blatant disregard for human rights and international law.

He further stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to excel in both worldly and religious sciences, warning against falling behind in any domain. “No discussion on the Ummah's affairs can be complete without addressing Palestine,” he said, “and the shameless conduct of the Israeli occupation.”

The Symbolic Significance of Istanbul

Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Dedew, the forum’s Vice President, explained that the choice of Istanbul and the timing of the conference were not coincidental. He pointed out the symbolic value of Istanbul as the former capital of the Ottoman Caliphate, which aligns with the theme of the Al-Aqsa Flood, suggesting that this moment signals a new awakening for the Muslim world.

Resistance is Thriving, Says Hamas Leader

Osama Hamdan, a senior leader in Hamas, took the stage to affirm the strength of resistance movements across the Muslim world. He highlighted how the Al-Aqsa Flood revealed the inability of the global system to suppress the will of the people and stressed that despite the significant challenges, the resilience of the resistance opens doors to eventual victory.
According to Hamdan, the events of the Al-Aqsa Flood over the past year have given the Ummah a unique opportunity for renewal. “It has unmasked the true face of the occupation and its backers,” he remarked, “exposing them as a brutal, criminal machine.” He added that the flood had clearly demonstrated the absence of international justice, noting the double standards of global powers that favour Israel’s occupation.

Hamdan emphasized that the flood reignited the Ummah's sense of self-worth and its belief in its ability to resist oppression. He remarked that the flood had shifted the focus of enmity within the Ummah, presenting a chance to reevaluate alliances and foes. “It has restored the concept of jihad as an essential duty in Islam,” Hamdan said, “after years of attempts by the enemies of the Ummah to distort it.”

He concluded by affirming the strength of the resistance, particularly in Gaza, where leaders have paid the ultimate price in service to the cause. He urged the broader Muslim world to reflect on its role in this defining moment.

Forum Renamed to Reflect Broader Islamic Vision

During the opening session, the forum’s General Secretariat announced its decision to rename the event from the "Kuala Lumpur Forum for Thought and Civilization" to the "Islamic World Forum for Thought and Civilization." The change, they said, reflects the forum’s expanded scope to address pressing issues of the entire Muslim Ummah and reinforces its status as a global platform for Islamic thought and civilization.

The forum’s agenda features a series of panels and discussions centered on the Palestinian cause and its impact on both global and Islamic geopolitics. Key topics include “Palestine and the International System After the Al-Aqsa Flood,” and "Palestine: The Compass for Civilizational Awakening.” Additional sessions will explore "Palestine and the Islamic World After the Al-Aqsa Flood," alongside regional and global ramifications.

Source : Al-Jazeera Arabic