• Nigeria should withdraw envoy from Israel: Prof. Lakin Akintola
• Muslims, Christians must speak up for Palestinians, says Fani-Kayode
Speakers at the 2024 Aqsa Day organised by the Muslim Awareness International (MAI) have decried the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in Gaza and human rights violations against Palestinians.
The annual event, which is used to draw attention to the plights of Palestinians and mobilise solidarity for them in Nigeria, took place on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.
Themed ‘Free Palestinians: From the River to the Sea’, this year’s Aqsa Day paraded a lineup of speakers including former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; renowned human rights activist and Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Prof. Lakin Akintola; and respected Islamic scholar and Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i.
The speakers took turns to strongly condemn Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians mostly women and children.
In his own address, Prof. Akintola said Nigeria should immediately withdraw its Ambassador to Israel in protest of the several violations of fundamental human rights of Palestinians and resolutions of the United Nations by Israel.
The MURIC Director said no African nation would be condoned violating the UN resolutions as Israel has done.
“Nigeria should not be party to the seizure of our Al Aqsa Mosque by sending an Ambassador to Jerusalem. I am demanding that Nigeria withdraw its Ambassador to Israel in protest against several violations of fundamental human rights of millions of Palestinians; in protest against the repression of several demands made by the United Nations (UN).
“UN resolutions are no longer relevant as far as Israel is concerned. Israel violates UN resolution at will. Let an African nation do half of what Israel has done to the United Nations’ resolutions, and it will see fire. It will be threatened with boycott and sanctions. It is only African nations and Arab nations, Muslim countries that are victims of UN sanctions, victims of Western economic anger, military sanctions. It is the subjugation of the weak by the strong.”
Prof. Akintola also made a similar call to Islamic organisations in Nigeria, asking them to decline invitations by the US embassy in the country.
According to him, the United States does not respect human rights and is in support of the killing by Israel.
“I call on all Islamic organisations, led by the MAI today in this struggle, to boycott the activities of the American embassy in Nigeria — whether the consulate in Lagos or the one in Abuja. We must boycott activities of the UN embassy. They will invite you on their independence anniversary, but they have no respect for humanity. America does not respect human rights. It’s all a deceit. It’s a facade and sham.
“Israel is not doing anything to the Palestinians. The hands of Israel are not on the Palestinians. The rockets of Israel are not falling on Gaza. It is the United State’s rockets, bombs and rifles that are at war in Gaza. Hold the hands of America today, Israel will fight. If America stops Israel today, Israel will stop the next minute. That’s why we are laying all the blame on America. That’s my philosophy. I don’t see Israel doing anything against the Palestinians, it is America. The so-called champion of democracy is a deceiver, an hypocrite, a parasite. America has no conscience today.”
The Professor noted that the ordinary American has a kind heart, but the capitalist system in the country sticks to tyranny.
“Americans have a way of expressing kindness, sympathy with the weak, hungry and the oppressed. But the capitalist system of American sticks with tyranny, dictatorship. What you see is not what you get. America is simply the more you look, the less you see.
“Islamic organisations in Nigeria should no longer entertain invitations extended to them by the US embassy in Nigeria. They should do it boldly, boycott American embassy. And let them know it is because of what they are doing against Palestine. We don’t see Israel in Palestine. What we see is America.”
For his own part, Chief Fani-Kayode, who spoke in a pre-recorded broadcast from Abuja, said everyone regardless of faith have a duty to speak up for the Palestinians.
The former Minister expressed excitement that MAI hosted a gathering where Nigerians stood against the evil being perpetrated against the Palestinians.
He said the concept of Zionism was created many years ago to propagate the supremacy of the Jewish race, and also to propagate the idea that the Jews ought to be able to politically, religiously and in every other sphere dominate all those around them in the Middle East.
He described what is going on in Palestine as the ‘genocide of our time’, saying there is nothing that has not been targeted.
“Men, women and children have been killed, butchered and murdered. Christians have been targeted. Muslims have been targeted. Mosques have been blown up. Churches have been blown up. It’s unbelievable.
“This is the genocide of our time. There is nothing they have not targeted. Hospitals have been targeted. More journalists have been killed there. Nobody is safe in Gaza. They have literally decimated the place, attempting to wipe everybody out.
“Benjamin Nentayahu has described the people of Gaza as the Amalakites that needed to be wiped out. He said it openly. Not only that, his Minster of National Security has said the same, that the Arabs should be wiped off the surface of the earth. The National Security Adviser also said the same thing, that the Arabs including Palestinians should be wiped out to create a greater Israel, a nation which will secure a pure Zionist state whose boundary will begin in Egypt and go all the way to Iran.
“They want to conquer the whole territory. These are genocidal barbarians, killers of children and women. These are people who believe the Jews are the master race, and every other race whether black, white, brown is inferior. These are not Semites; they are basically white colonials who came in from Europe and settled there. They are whites, they are not original Jews.”.
Chief Fani-Kayode said many people from around the world have begun to speak against the genocide in Palestine, noting it is only a question time for true liberation to come for the people of Palestine.
“It is incumbent upon those of us that are so decent-minded and fear God to rise up and speak against this evil. And that’s happening all over the world; many people are speaking out. This is the way the world once spoke against apartheid in South Africa. It is only a question of time before true liberation come to the people of Palestine and Palestine will be free.
“Whether you are a Christian or Muslim, you have a right and duty to speak up for the people of Palestine, to remember that children are being killed on a daily basis, and to resist the evil zionist state that is predicated on apartheid and believes everybody else should be destroyed.”
In his own remarks, Sheikh Shafi’i emphasised the role of prayer in the ongoing struggle for a free Palestine.
The Islamic scholar charged Muslims to continue to remember the plights of Palestinians in their qunut.
Mufti of Conference Of Islamic Organisations, while discussing the topic: “Our Role to Complete Freedom of Palestine”, lamented that that the Palestinians have been deprived of basic necessities of life since 2007.
He urged the Nigerian government not to remain neutral on the issue; it should make it stand known whether for or against the sufferings of the Palestinians
Shaykh Shafii who highlighted ways by which Nigerian Muslims can contribute to the freedom of Palestine, said, understanding the issue was vital, urged the muslims to shown concern for the plight of Palestinians by talking about it consistently.
He lamented that some Islamic countries have abandoned the Palestinians, thus, urging Nigerian Muslims to continue to support the cause financially. He also called for prayers for the suffering people of Gaza
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of MAI, Comrade AbdulWaheed Atoyebi, said the purpose of the gathering was to discuss the grave injustices faced by Palestinians, especially the genocide instigated by the Zionist State of Israel.
The Director said the unfolding tragedy in Palestine has far-reaching implications whose impact go beyond the borders of Gaza.
“These atrocities not only threaten the lives of millions but also undermine the very principles of democracy and freedom that we claim to cherish around the world,” he added.
“In the ongoing genocide campaign by the Zionist State of Israel, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military, including thousands of innocent children. These are not just statistics; they are lives cut short, dreams shattered, and families torn apart by an occupation that the world has watched, largely in silence.”
MAI condemned Israel’s violation of international laws, noting the world must enforce the resolutions of the UN with seriousness.
“Israel’s defiance of international law is well-documented. The United Nations has passed numerous resolutions calling for an end to the occupation and the recognition of Palestinian rights, yet Israel has consistently ignored these resolutions.
“From Resolution 242, which calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories, to Resolution 194, which demands the right of return for Palestinian refugees, Israel has shown blatant disregard for the UN and the international community. We must call for accountability, and the world must enforce these resolutions with the seriousness they deserve.”
The organisation also called on people and government institutions to key into the boycott campaign against companies that directly and indirectly enable Israel’s actions.
“It is time for the people of the world to stand up and demand an end to this injustice. One of the most effective ways to do this is through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to economically isolate Israel and the companies that support its apartheid policies.
“By withdrawing our economic support, we send a clear message that the world will not tolerate genocide and systematic oppression. As individuals, we must key into this campaign, boycotting companies that directly or indirectly enable Israel’s actions, and advocating for governments and institutions to do the same.”
MAI Director noted that hospitals, schools and safe zones have been targeted in the ongoing Israeli aggression, adding this further underlines complete disregard for international norms.
He also made reference to the killing of journalists covering the war, saying it is a direct attack on press freedom.
“The scale of destruction in Gaza is unimaginable. Hospitals, meant to be sanctuaries of healing, have been bombed, leaving patients and medical personnel under constant threat. Schools, where children should be learning and growing, have been reduced to rubble. These acts are not only violations of international law but also clear indications of a brutal campaign designed to strip the Palestinian people of their humanity.
“Even the so-called “safe zones,” established to protect civilians, have become killing fields. UN officials, who work tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid, have been targeted and killed by Israeli forces, further showcasing the complete disregard for international norms. The world must recognize that this is not a conflict between two equal sides—it is a genocide, an illegal occupation, and a violation of every principle of human decency.
“Israel’s campaign of violence extends not only to the Palestinian people but also to those who attempt to report the truth. We remember Shireen Abu Akleh, a journalist for Al Jazeera who was killed by Israeli forces while covering the violence in the West Bank. Her murder was a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence the truth. More recently, an American citizen was also killed by Israeli forces, further illustrating Israel’s complete disregard for international law and human life.”
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