The world must come together to boycott pro-Israeli companies: Grand Imam
As the Israeli military continues the massacre of Palestinian people in its 30 days genocide in Gaza, the Muslim community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria has joined numerous leaders, organisations and countries across the world to call for an immediate ceasefire.
The urgent need for the war to end was the major thrust of the solidarity rally and special prayer organised on Thursday, November 9 by the Imams of both central and ratibi (daily) mosques, including scholars and representatives of different religious organisations from the Ikorodu division, under the leadership of the Grand Chief Imam, Fadilatu Sheik Al-Imam Alliy Seifudeen Oloworibi.
The participants, during the rally, chanted in unison, “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza” repeatedly, as they displayed placards with different inscriptions such as: ‘End Israel apartheid now!’, Nigerians unite for Palestine’, Nigerians call for justice for Palestine’ Good people of America must stop Joe Biden’s collaboration with killers,’ among others.
“We are gathered here to announce to the world that we are concerned about what is going on between Palestine and Israel,” the Grand Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division, said as he addressed members of his community after the solidarity rally, stressing, “We want Palestine to be free from Israeli occupation. We want a two-state solution implemented in settling the crisis.”
The grand Imam called on Muslims and non-Muslims across the world to boycott the products of companies, brands supporting Israeli aggression until Palestine is free and liberated.
According to him, whoever does good will be rewarded for it. Whoever does bad will equally be rewarded. And assisting the evil doers is synonymous to doing evil. The boycotted products are the ones used by Israeli to raise funds to kill innocent Palestine. Some of them are Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and so much more. Some people don’t know them. But if we Muslims and non-Muslims across the world come together to stop buying these products, it will make an impact.
Also speaking at the solidarity rally and special prayer, Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations, Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i, said the Ikorodu Muslim community wanted to identify with the oppressed Palestinians and to call on the world, especially the United Nations, to take action that would lead to ceasefire.
Sheikh Shafi’i said the Palestinian citizens have shown enough perseverance amid the provocative killings of both young and old.
“Palestinians have a right to safety. People around the world have been holding protests and rallies to call for an immediate ceasefire. That’s why the Imams of Ikorodu decided that we should also hold this gathering to show our support and prayer for them,” he said.
The respected Muslim scholar said the Israel-Palestine conflict did not just start on October 7 as some people want to make it seem.
According to him, the conflict has been on for many years now. October 7 was just a smoke and the fire had been kindling for a while. It has been on for at least 75 years and this is the third generation witnessing the conflict.
“Before 1948, the Israeli state didn’t exist. They came to claim the Palestinian land. The Arabian countries fought them in 1967 and they got tired and stopped interfering due to the severity of Israeli attacks. Since then, they’ve been taking the lands more and more until 2007 when they locked Gaza away from the world without electricity, water, hospitals, and all of that. They’re also doing corrupt acts like drinking, prostitution, smoking in the aqsa mosque,” he said.
The #Muslims in Ikorodu LCDA of Lagos have showed solidarity and offered special prayers for #Palestine against the ongoing #Israeli #genocide in #Gaza, which has led to the death of over 10,000 #Palestinians, including children and women.#IsraeliNewNazism pic.twitter.com/0ghNTEAKdg
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) November 9, 2023
“Different people have been telling the UN to stop Israeli illegal occupation, but they didn’t stop. They have also been arresting men, women and children for no offense and torturing them equally. Sadly, the Israeli criminal settlers often invade masjid Al-Aqsa attacking worshippers with the support of Israeli soldiers. So, they decided to react on October 7 due to the long years of occupation and suffering. Hence, it is wrong for anyone to say Hamas started the war on October 7.”
Sheikh Shafi’i charged Muslim leaders and their followers to speak up for the Palestinian people and take actions that would see an end to their suffering and oppression.
“We should also pray for them. Anybody that can donate should also help them with money through donations,” he noted.
The Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque Ikorodu, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala, condemned Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and expansion of illegal settlements on Palestinian lands in the West Bank.
“Israel, who have been given some parts of the Palestinians land by the British government as far back as 1948 has continued to encroach on Palestine’s lands to date. This has only been condemned by the international community but nobody has been able to tame Israel. This must stop! They should stop killing, victimising and harassing the Palestinians. Let them settle the conflict once and for all. It’s too old,” he said.
The revered Imam called on world powers to facilitate a peaceful and amicable resolution to the crisis.
According to him, the war is not necessarily a religious war, but a war against humanity by Israel.
“We should come together to show our solidarity and give what we have to help our brothers and sisters. We believe that Allah will intervene with our prayers,” he said.
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