On March 4, 2025, Al-Azhar, the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments, and Dar Al-Iftaa condemned Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza. They criticized the timing of this decision during Ramadan, called for international intervention, and highlighted the suffering that vulnerable populations face due to ongoing restrictions. Key leaders urged for an end to the blockade and accountability for those responsible for humanitarian violations.
On March 4, 2025, Egypt’s prestigious religious institutions, including Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the Ministry of Endowments, and Dar Al-Iftaa, voiced strong condemnation of the Israeli government’s recent decision to restrict humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Al-Azhar described the Israeli actions as a demonstration of cruelty, particularly as they coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which observant individuals are fasting and in need of essential relief supplies.
The statement highlighted the ethical implications of preventing aid access during Ramadan, labeling such actions as a significant crime according to Islamic principles, which call for justice and accountability. Al-Azhar criticized both the Israeli authorities and the political inaction of leaders worldwide who can influence the situation but choose not to respond to these humanitarian crises.
In light of the blockade’s dire effects on Gazans, particularly vulnerable populations such as women and children, Al-Azhar urged Islamic nations to use diplomatic channels to advocate for the immediate lifting of restrictions on aid to Gaza. They characterized the blockade as a tool of oppression designed to compel Palestinians into choices that further entrench Israeli control over the region.
Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt’s Minister of Endowments, added that the Israeli decision is a blatant violation of international law, worsening the hardships experienced by Palestinians. He stressed the urgent need for international actors and humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to permit safe aid delivery, asserting that inaction equates to complicity in ongoing violations against innocent civilians.
Dr. Nazir Muhammad Ayyad, the Grand Mufti of the Republic, also denounced the Israeli blockade, reinforcing the collective condemnation from Egypt’s religious leadership. The situation remains critical as humanitarian needs in Gaza have escalated under the blockade’s harsh conditions, exacerbated by the suspension of aid supplies and ongoing conflict.
Additional reporting on these developments was provided by Amr Mohamed Kandil.
The Egyptian Islamic institutions’ condemnation of the Israeli decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza reflects a broader call for justice and intervention from the international community. They emphasize the ethical responsibilities involved in ensuring aid access, especially during holy periods such as Ramadan, and stress the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. These sentiments illustrate a unified stance against violation of basic human rights and the pursuit of dignity for the Palestinian people.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
