Recently, Professor Shaykh Dr Ali al-Qaradaghi, the secretary-general of the Qatar-based International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) — an organisation formerly led by the late Yusuf al-Qaradawi — expressed deep anguish over the inaction of Muslim leaders in the face of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The nearly 460-day genocide, marked by extensive destruction and staggering civilian casualties, has claimed more than 45,000 lives to date, exposing a sobering truth: the moral and strategic failure of Muslim leadership globally.
Though the United Nations (UN) has passed multiple resolutions addressing the genocide in Gaza, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants, Israel continues its military aggression with impunity.
Meanwhile, Muslim-majority nations, even those with substantial military power, have remained conspicuously inactive. Despite widespread expectations for these nations to provide tangible support — whether through military intervention or strategic measures — their collective response has been confined to rhetoric and symbolic actions.
This pervasive inaction, exacerbated by economic dependencies, political apprehensions and chronic disunity, underscores a systemic inability to uphold the principles of justice, solidarity and humanitarian responsibility.
The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis of unparalleled proportions. Israeli airstrikes have decimated infrastructure and the ongoing blockade has plunged the region into deprivation.
Civilians bear the brunt of the violence, with children comprising a significant portion of the casualties. Despite this, the Muslim world's collective response has been tepid, confined to condemnation in summits and forums.
There remains a persistent expectation that several militarily powerful Muslim nations would take a proactive role in defending Palestinians, yet none have taken concrete measures to challenge Israel's aggression. Instead, we have witnessed only vocal condemnation from these leaders, often accompanied by strong rhetoric in defence of Palestine.
Even the Muslim-majority nations possessing nuclear capabilities, which have long championed the Palestinian cause on the global stage, have limited its support to diplomatic efforts and symbolic gestures. This is largely due to its economic fragility and reliance on Western aid and loans, which have restrained it from taking more assertive action.
Similarly, despite some Muslim nations possessing vast wealth and advanced military arsenals with the potential to wield considerable influence, these countries have prioritised their economic and political relationships with the "superpower" and Israel over taking decisive steps for Palestine.
Tragically, the normalisation of relations between certain Muslim states and Israel has further diminished the likelihood of a unified Muslim front.
One of the key reasons for this inaction is the pervasive influence of the United States, which serves as Israel's staunchest ally. The US provides Israel with billions in military aid annually and protects it from international accountability by vetoing resolutions critical of its actions at the United Nations.
The passivity of militarily strong Muslim countries becomes even more pronounced when juxtaposed with the actions of certain non-Muslim nations. Spain and Ireland, for instance, have taken the bold step of recalling their ambassadors from Israel as a form of protest against its aggression in Gaza.
Furthermore, Spain went as far as blocking an Israeli ship from docking at its ports, a symbolic yet powerful gesture of opposition.
In stark contrast, there have been instances where Muslim-majority countries have permitted Israeli-linked ships, including those carrying military ammunition, to dock in their ports, facilitating trade and logistics for a state actively engaged in the destruction of Palestinian lives. This only highlights the gap between rhetoric and action among Muslim leaders.
The inaction of Muslim leaders is compounded by the double standards of the international community. While Western nations are quick to sanction other countries for alleged human rights violations, they remain silent or complicit when it comes to Israel.
Muslim leaders, instead of challenging these hypocrisies, have largely acquiesced, further eroding their credibility. The expectation that militarily strong Muslim nations would intervene in Gaza has been met with disappointment. Their failure to act decisively is a betrayal of the Palestinian people and a stain on their moral and strategic credibility.
History will not remember the words spoken at summits but the actions — or lack thereof — taken to defend justice. The Muslim world must rise above its dependencies, fears and disunity to take bold and decisive steps.
Anything less is complicity in the suffering of Gaza and the perpetuation of global injustice. We have to remember, that we are accountable before Allah not only for our actions but also for our inaction when duty compels us to defend the oppressed.
The Prophet said: "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or the oppressed" (Al-Bukhari). And our Palestinian brothers are currently enduring oppression and are in desperate need of our support.
The writer is Director, Centre for Syariah, Law and Politics, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM). He can be reached at roskiman@ikim.gov.my
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times