Istanbul: The eight-day Gaza Conference's fourth day unfolded on Democracy and Freedom Island in Istanbul, featuring workshops on protecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque, historical lessons from the medieval Crusades, and strategies to strengthen unity across the Muslim world.
According to Anadolu Agency, the morning session involved participants discussing 'the value of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the threats it faces, and what must be done for its protection.' Another group examined 'the duties of Muslims toward Al-Aqsa,' highlighting the centrality of Jerusalem to the Islamic faith and the shared responsibility of safeguarding its sanctity.
The afternoon sessions addressed historical and political questions, with groups analyzing 'the causes that initiated the Crusader occupation' and reflecting on 'the reasons that would bring it to an end.' The focus later shifted to themes of unity, where delegates explored ways to revive the message of 'Jerusalem Unites Us' and build consensus among Islamic institutions around the principle of Ummah al-Wasat, emphasizing balance and solidarity.
The conference, titled Islamic and Humanitarian Responsibility: Gaza, is organized by the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and the Foundation for Islamic Scholars in Trkiye. It has attracted over 150 scholars and representatives from more than 50 countries to discuss Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader response of the Muslim world. Notable figures such as IUMS President Sheikh Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi and Trkiye's top cleric Ali Erbas have emphasized the urgent need to deliver aid to Palestinians.
On the sidelines of the conference, South African Islamic scholar Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels spoke to Anadolu, linking the Gaza struggle to a global responsibility. He highlighted South Africa's unique role in international forums, particularly its legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Gabriels compared the situation in Palestine to apartheid in South Africa, stating that the oppression in Israel is 'worse than it was in South Africa.'
He criticized the silence of many Muslim-majority states, urging them to take action. Gabriels emphasized the universal nature of the Palestinian issue, calling it an issue of humanity and a responsibility for Muslims to address. He concluded by sharing a message of solidarity, where an elderly man in Trkiye committed to fasting every Thursday in support of Gaza's liberation, demonstrating the spirit of the Muslim ummah.