In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS) joins the worldwide community in condemning the acts of violence and aggression in Jerusalem, Sheikh Jarrah and Gaza that first sparked on the 7th Day of May. Devout Muslim worshippers, gathered for the Ramadan prayers were stormed by Israeli police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades to allegedly quell Palestinian protesters.
Hundreds of innocent Palestinians, who were observing religious duties, were injured in Al-Aqsa premises that prompted militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to launch rocket attacks into Israel from the Gaza strip on May 10 hitting residences and a school. Israeli forces retaliated with devastating aerial strikes destroying a number of high-rise buildings, schools, hospitals, and a refugee camp that resulted in the death of hundreds of Palestinians including children and women. Thousands of innocent Palestinians have been displaced due to the conflict.
We, the UP-IIS family stand against any act of violence, oppression, and discrimination against any group whatsoever. We condemn these acts and share the same affection with our Palestinian Muslim brothers and sisters, since their suffering is our suffering and that of humanity.
Islam has taught us to consider all believers in God as one body, and that the suffering of one limb is felt by the whole body as stated by Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him) in the Hadith:
“The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.”
As an academic institution that believes in the sacredness of human lives and the significance of finding peaceful resolution to any conflict and differences, UP-IIS calls for a halt in the violence and aggression, and the immediate intervention of the global world powers particularly the United States of America (USA) and the Muslim world leaders to stop the escalation of the conflict and save more innocent lives.
For humanity’s sake, may we all give our hearts and prayers for the safety of the innocent children, men and women of Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank. May our prayers ease the sufferings of our Muslim brothers and sisters and may our Muslim world leaders find ways in ending the violence and aggression committed against the Palestinian people.
May ALLAH grant peace and protection to all victims of violence, oppression and tyranny.