MAKKAH: In his Friday speech yesterday, Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais appealed to international bodies to take steps to ensure an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and condemned state-sponsored terrorism against innocent people.
“On behalf of all Muslims in the world we call on the international community and other organizations to immediately stop this Zionist terrorism,” Al-Sudais said.
He further urged all Muslim countries to rally behind the Palestinians and offer them help.
Addressing the Palestinians, he said, “Brothers in faith, be optimistic, you will be victorious with the help of Allah. Dawn breaks after the darkness of the night.
Relief will come after the misery,” he said. Quoting a verse from the Holy Qur’an, he said, “So lose not heart, nor fall into despair, for you will gain mastery if you are true in faith.”
He added that the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked the believers to be patient and optimistic at times of hardships. “The great prophets of Islam achieved their goals against all odds with their optimism, hope, patience, strong faith and prayers.”
He told the people of Gaza that the Hijrah new year, which began on Dec. 28, was the right occasion to keep their hopes alive. “Let us begin the new year of the Hijrah calendar hoping for good news because the blessed Hijrah of the Prophet (pbuh) inspired the succeeding generations with optimism and hope for great achievements,” he said.
He also underscored the significance of Muharram, the first month of the new year. “It was in Muharram that Allah’s Messenger Musa (pbuh) achieved victory over the mighty tyrant Pharaoh,” he said. He also commended the efforts of the Saudi government and people to help Gazans.
In his sermon at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Salah Al-Budair expresses grief over the pitiable state of Muslims in Palestine where people are being massacred, buildings destroyed and lands grabbed by Israel.
He stressed the need for greater unity and mutual support and called on the believers to offer all possible assistance to the people of Gaza. “Is it befitting to the Muslims, who are the largest in the world in terms of population and richest in resources, to throw their brethren to the mercy of a bunch of wolfish Jews?” Sheikh Al-Budair said, adding that the “world is being ruled by a jungle law.” He told the Muslims to unite because “it is the duty of people of Islam to strengthen themselves with mutual support so that they can protect their land, holy places and religion particularly at times of calamities and disasters.”
