Activists rally behind Iran, call for Muslim unity against Zionist aggression

Summary

• Malaysian activists meet with the Iranian ambassador to show support against Israeli aggression and for the resistance of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv.

• The activists emphasise unity among the Muslim community, moving beyond Sunni-Shia divisions, against perceived US-backed oppression.

• Mapim announces a rally at the US embassy to protest Israeli actions and call for international condemnation.

As Israeli and Iranian forces continue to trade deadly strikes on the fifth day since increased tensions between the two long-time foes, calls for unity among the global Muslim community were issued from Kuala Lumpur.

The delegation, led by local civil society leaders, held a more than hour-long meeting with ambassador Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi at the Iranian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, following the latest round of Israeli strikes on the republic, a long-time backer of Palestinian resistance in Gaza.

Palestinian human rights activist Muslim Imran said the current situation has divided the global Muslim community into only two camps - resistance or submission.

“Let it be clear why we are here. Everyone who has come to this gathering is here to declare their support for the resistance - against tyranny, against this aggression - until the full liberation of Palestine, the dismantling of the Zionist entity in Tel Aviv, and victory for Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and the entire Muslim world in the face of this ongoing Zionist occupation,” he said.

Muslim, who is former chairperson of the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia, stressed that his presence was not in solidarity with Iran’s war against Israel, but rather it is a common war also fought in his home state. 

“We are here to express our appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Iran - to its people and armed forces - for leading the struggle against the ongoing Zionist aggression targeting the entire ummah.

“I want to be clear about this: when we say we are here to show solidarity, it might sound like we are two separate entities. But we are not. We are one ummah.

“We are one nation under oppression. And the Zionist aggressors have made it clear from day one - to them, the people of Tehran are no different from the people of Damascus, Sana’a, or Jerusalem,” he said.

“To them, we are all enemies to be wiped out. Just listen to the language of their military and political leaders - they make no distinction,” he added.

Citing inflammatory remarks made by Israeli leaders, Muslim said this reinforces the need for continued resistance.

“We must remain vigilant. We must be aware and understand the nature of this ongoing confrontation,” he added.

‘Not Sunni versus Shia’

Echoing a similar view, Islamic Renaissance Front founder Ahmad Farouk Musa noted that centuries of division among the global Muslim ummah were largely based on the majority Sunnis’ rejection of Shia followers.

“Now it’s no longer about Sunni or Shia. What we have now is a camp of resistance and a camp of compromise.

“Each of us must decide where we stand,” said Farouk.

“Do we belong to the camp of resistance, or do we align with the camp of American-backed submission?

“The choice is ours, and I believe that the Sunnis of this country will stand together with the Shia of Iran - united in our fight against the tyranny of the United States and its allies,” he added.

Mapim calls for international condemnation

Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) president Azmi Abdul Hamid called on the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to condemn Israel’s attack on Iran.

“An investigation must be carried out by an independent international body, mandated by the UN, to determine the impact of the attack on Iran, particularly on civilians, and to assess violations of international law.

“The international community, especially Western powers, must stop unfairly protecting Israel,” he said.

He also urged Asean - chaired by Malaysia - to issue a formal protest against what he described as provocation by the Zionist regime.

Azmi further announced that Mapim will organise a peaceful rally outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur this Friday to protest against Israeli aggression.

“We will urge the US to end its support for Israel and to pressure Israel to be prosecuted over the genocide in Gaza.

“We are also calling on the US to revise its policy towards Israel,” he said.

Others present today include Institute of Strategic and International Studies chairperson Jawhar Hassan, Parti Putra president Ibrahim Ali, Amanah leader Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah, as well as former MP and activist Chua Tian Chang (Tian Chua).

The Foreign Ministry, through the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, Iran, has advised all Malaysians to urgently leave the country.

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