Tazeen Akhtar
Pakistan, Iran and Syria have reiterated full fledged support to and solidarity with Palestinian people. The representatives of 3 countries have termed Israeli invasion of Gaza as Genocide. They have called upon the world community to play its due role in implementation of the UNGA’s and UNSC’s resolutions on Israeli illegal occupation of Arab lands and crimes against humanity , the aggressor is committing in Gaza since after 7 Oct 2024. Moreover the leaders from all schools of thoughts and all political parties have made it clear that they are united against the Israeli atrocities and stand with Palestine.Spokesperson Hamas Khalid Qudoomi was also present at the occasion.
The speakers expressed these views in an Iftar reception hosted by H.E. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, on the occasion of the International Quds Day on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at local hotel in Islamabad.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Senator Raja Zafar ul Haq, MNA Allama Raja Nisr Abbas,Chairman Majlis e Wahdat ul Muslimeen, Allama Sajid Naqvi Amir of Tehreek e Jaffria ,Mr. Tahir Ashrafi Special Representative of PM on interfaith and religious harmony , Mian Aslam of Jamat e Islami and many other notables also attended the event.
From diplomatic side, Ambassadors of Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan and DHM of Tajikistan were present.
Pakistani Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada in his address as chief guest condemned the Israeli actions as war crimes and violation of international law and human rights. He said Israel is not allowing the human relief activities. The indiscriminate bombardment and destruction in Gaza is genocide of Palestinians.
He called upon the international community to stop Israel from attacks and come forward with clear joint approach on this issue. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestine at every forum of the world. He said that Palestine is our own cause.
The minister stressed the need of implementation of ceasefire resolution by UNSC, the demands put forward in the joint declaration of Arab Islami Summit in Nov 2023. He concluded that ” Pakistan believes in State of Palestine with borders as they were in 1967 with Quds as its capital.”
The host Ambassador of Iran, Dr Reza Amiri, in his keynote address, shed light on the vision of Imam Khomeini and the beginning of Quds Day;
“Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, was one of the first people who correctly diagnosed that this cancer cannot be cured without the complete unity of the Islamic world. In Ramadan, he requested Muslims all over the world to express their international solidarity with the people of Palestine on the last Friday of Ramadan.Today, millions and millions of Muslims around the world celebrate Quds Day, this is the result of this historical message. Over the years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has set up various programs to counter this evil regime, including Al-Quds Day.
Ambassador Iran, refreshing the memories, covered different aspects of the issue in his address. He said, We all know very well that 75 years ago an inhumane and un-Islamic project called Zionism was launched by global colonialists in the holy land of Palestine with the aim of eradicating Islam.
Dr. Reza Amiri said, The fact is that throughout the entire life of the evil tree called Israel, the United States has always maintained its unquestioning support for the Zionist criminals by distorting history by gathering all kinds of economic, political, military and media energies. No doubt US is an equal partner in the crime.Based on this support, the Zionists have created new chapters in the history of brutality in the last six months. Merciless killing of journalists, children and women, attacks on medical teams and blocking of hospitals and relief operations are some examples of this horror.
“Yet the Zionists have failed in the face of the steadfast will of the zealous people of Gaza and are now seeking revenge against the resistance. Terrorist activities beyond its borders and attacks on diplomatic posts are the fruits of anger and failure of this accursed tree, Ambassador noted.
Ambassador condemning the attack on Irani Embassy in Syria, shared “A few days ago, the Zionist regime, violating all international laws and regulations, targeted the embassy of Iran in Syria, and in this attack, seven Iranian military officers were martyred who were there to help people from Gaza and Palestine at the official invitation of the Syrian government. Scholars, thinkers, and the media are expected to expose the genocide of the people of Gaza at the hands of the Israeli regime, as well as the supporters, facilitators, and resource providers of these crimes to the world. The veil will be removed from their faces.”
Dr. Reza Amiri expressed gratitude to Gov, political leaders and people of Pakistan for their support and role they played to spread awareness on Palestine Issue.
Ambassador said, “The happy thing is that the awareness of the people around the world about the nature of this evil regime has increased, as a result of which the criminal leaders of this Zionist regime have become more dishonorable in the court of conscience of humanity. Undoubtedly, the efforts of the respected people of Pakistan and the political and government representatives of this country in the international societies have been effective in this awareness and I feel it necessary to thank the government and people of Pakistan for this unwavering support of the Palestinian people.”
Struggle to Continue for Liberation of All Arab Lands including Al-Quds and Golan : Dr Ramez Alraee
Ambassador of Syria to Pakistan, Dr Ramez Alraee, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in their enduring struggle for justice, freedom and self determination has said ” The struggle continues for the liberation of all occupied Arab land including Al Quds Sharif and Golan.”
Dr Ramez Alraee, in his address noted, “The difficulties and sufferings of the Palestinian people is not just a regional concern. It is a global humanitarian issue that calls for immediate action and solidarity from international community, especially in the back ground of ongoing genocide of Palestinian in Gaza by Israel.”
Ambassador said, for decades , we have faced illegal terrorist aggression of Israel yet resilience and determination of the Palestinian people to reclaim their rights and land remain unwavering.
Spokesperson of Hamas, Khalid Qudoomi, in his address, said, ” Holocaust is actually happening in Gaza by Israel.”
Khalid shared that media mostly is giving the number of the martyred lesser than the original. He said that more than 30 thousand are noted as martyred but around 10 thousand are not in this number who are missing. They are still under the destroyed buildings. Who knows the number and destiny of these people.
” Imam Khomeini had declared Israel as a tumor in the body of Muslim Umma. Imam was right to beware us that the tumor should be cut to save peace in the region, Khalid said.
Referring to the martyrdom of thousands of children, women and elderly in Gaza, he further noted that Gaza is not a piece of land. Gaza is daughter, Gaza is mother whom Israel is killing. The Muslim world is supposed to act accordingly to save our children and mothers.
Mr. Tahir Ashrafi @ Irani Event
Mr. Tahir Ashrafi’s presence in Irani event and that at the stage was noted by a number of guests because he is known as the spokesperson of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan. His address was very enthusiastic but it was opposite to the bitter realities of the Muslim world. He spoke about the condemnation by Muslim countries especially Saudi Arabia and Morocco of attack on Iran Embassy in Syria but he omitted the fact that they have not mentioned Israel in their statements of condemnation.
Further, Mr. Tahir Ashrafi appealed to the Muslim world to boycott the countries that are supplying weapons to Israel. He did not mentioned the names of Muslim countries that recognize the Terrorist State and have diplomatic relations with Israel. He did not addressed the governments of the Muslim world but the people only.
Tahir Ashrafi has very good relations with the governments of UAE and KSA. He has been appointed special representative of Prime Ministers Imran Khan and Shehbaz Sharif , of the two arch rivals in their consecutive govs only thanks to support and recommendation from these two countries. UAE and Israel are connected with direct flights.
(Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours, Egypt and Jordan, after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with four Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Morocco.)
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