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Memri
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
At Anti-Israel Protests In Pakistan, Islamic Religious Scholars Call For Jihad Against Israel, Urge Rulers Of Islamic Nations To Use Their Armies To Help Palestinians
In April and May 2025, Pakistan's Islamic religious organizations, especially Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JeIP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), held a series of conferences and mass rallies in several Pakistani towns and cities where Islamic scholars and community leaders expressed support for Hamas and called for jihad against Israel. A national Palestine conference was held on April 10 in Islamabad, while protests and events were also held at Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir as well as in the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, and Quetta, among others. At these events, the religious scholars called for supporting Palestinians and Kashmiris. Islamic scholars address the National Palestine Conference in Islamabad on April 10, 2025 On April 10, a national Palestine conference was held in Islamabad to express solidarity with the Palestinians, where Hamas representative Dr. Naji Zaheer, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President of the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabiya Mufti Taqi Usmani, prominent Islamic scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, and other eminent personalities delivered speeches.[1] According to a report in the Urdu daily Roznama Express: "In the declaration adopted by the national conference, Muslims were called upon to boycott Israel and its supporting countries… According to shari'a, under the principle of 'Al-Aqrab Fal-Aqrab [i.e., jihad becoming obligatory on those on and near the crisis site and its scope expanding gradually to cover wider regions],' jihad has become obligatory on all Muslims."[2] The declaration stated: "Regarding Palestine, no pact prevents participation in this jihad [against Israel]. In the name of Palestine, no armed-struggle against our own governments will be legitimate. The entire region, including Israel, belongs to Palestinians."[3] At the conference, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, the head of Tanzeem Al-Madaris, read out the declaration adopted on the occasion. Dr. Naji Zaheer, the Hamas representative, who was a star speaker at the conference, said: "Palestinians have great hopes from Pakistan. Israel is afraid of Pakistan, otherwise it wants to complete the project of Greater Israel."[4] Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whose organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has led many anti-Israel pretests in Pakistani towns over the past few years, told the gathering: "If Pakistan does not fight for the Palestinians, it is denying its ideology. The [so-called] philosophers of our country ask how the economy will function if relations with Israel are not improved. What is there to fear? Pakistan's position on Israel should be clear. We also want to know the position of the state of Pakistan."[5] Hamas representative Dr. Zuhair Naji, who lives in Pakistan, addresses the conference Calling the gathering "historic" and urging practical jihad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman promoted a hardline approach, inciting violence rather than fostering a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. "Today's gathering is not a traditional gathering; history will not be able to ignore this gathering. The entire nation is united on the issue of Palestine. Practical jihad has become obligatory on the Ummah. Muslims should participate in jihad in any way possible," he added.[6] The JUI-F leader said: "In 1917, when the State of Israel was proposed, only two percent of Jews lived in Palestine. Correct history and do not spread the lie that Palestinian Muslims sold their lands themselves. There is a Jewish conspiracy behind any problem in Pakistan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the establishment of Pakistan should be understood."[7] The state of Pakistan was established as a homeland for Muslims; Maulana Fazlur Rehman's message was that the nuclear-armed Pakistan must support Palestinians practically. One of the leading speakers at the conference was Grand Mufti of Pakistan Taqi Usmani. The religious scholar questioned Muslim governments for not using their armies for jihad, saying: "Peaceful protests are allowed, throwing stones and harming someone's life and property is forbidden. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli bombing continues. The Zionists do not have any faith, any religion, any international agreement or promise. What is the use of the armies of Muslim countries if they do not wage jihad?"[8] "The requirement was that instead of gathering here [in Islamabad], we would have gathered in Gaza. A ceasefire agreement was reached in Palestine; despite the ceasefire agreement, the bombing continues. Israel has no moral values nor the value of international laws. [U.S. President Donald] Trump has now started considering the entire world his property. Despite seeing death, the Palestinians have not backed down from their position," Mufti Usmani said.[9] Mufti Taqi Usmani (left) and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman address the National Conference on Palestine on April 10, 2025. The Grand Mufti accused Israel of implementing a plan for Greater Israel, saying: "Today, preparations are being made to implement the Greater Israel plan. According to the United Nations, no one has human rights except those with fair skin. The [Hamas] brave-hearts in Gaza have created a new history. Will jihad not be obligatory even after seeing more than 55,000 Muslims being slaughtered?"[10] Mufti Taqi Usmani added: "The founder of Pakistan [M.A. Jinnah] had called [Israel] an illegitimate child. Our position will not change under any circumstances, no matter how much power Israel gets. When we do not have any pact with Israel, there is no excuse [for Jihad]. Muslim countries should know that when it has broken agreements, then by what agreement are you bound?"[11] The Islamic religious scholar also said: "The U.S. Secretary of State has said that no matter how many Muslims Israel kills, we will not stop supporting it. After Israel, America has also broken its agreements. We do not say to launch a nuclear attack on anyone. Governments have a thousand ways; they should realize that jihad is our duty."[12] Earlier, on February 5, to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day, several events were held in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir by militant groups and the Pakistani military and government. These events were also attended and addressed by jihadi commanders and Hamas leaders. One of the biggest events was held in the town of Rawalakot in Pakistani Kashmir. Hamas spokespersons Dr. Khalid Qaddoumi and Dr. Naji Zaheer, along with Hamas leaders Mufti Azam and Bilal Alsallat, participated in the event, according to an Indian media report.[13] The event was also attended by Talha Saif, brother of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) emir Maulana Masood Azhar, JeM commander Asghar Khan Kashmiri, senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Masood Ilyas, and other top LeT commanders. Jihadi leaders address a rally in Rawalakot, Pakistani Kashmir, on February 5, 2025. "The entire event was an effort to build a narrative to equate the Gaza Strip with Jammu and Kashmir," Indian media outlet News 18 reported.[14] "The conference had been organised to spin a common tale of Pakistan and Palestine as well-knit united fronts against Israel and India," the report said.[15] In a video of the Rawalakot event available on the internet, several militant leaders can be seen delivering speeches.[16] One militant leader, speaking Urdu, warns India: "I want to tell [Indian Home Minister] Amit Shah that the mujahideen of Kashmir and Palestine have become united…"[17] Not far from Rawalakot, on the same day in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended another conference to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. Speaking on the occasion, General Asim Munir warned India, saying: "Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or in the near future, you may commit atrocities in occupied Kashmir, but this will not go on forever. The decision of Kashmir must be made by the people of Kashmir, not by any occupying force in Kashmir. Three wars have been fought for Kashmir, and if ten more need to be fought, we will fight, Allah willing."[18] He made these remarks at the at the martyrs' memorial in Muzaffarabad. In his speech to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed support for Kashmiris, saying: "Pakistan will continue to offer its unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their right to self-determination."[19] Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir (third from left) attends an event in Muzaffarabad on February 5, 2025, held as part of the Kashmir Solidarity Day commemorations On April 13, just three days later, another public rally on the theme of "Solidarity with Gaza" was organized by JeIP on Shahrah-e-Faisal Road in Karachi. Addressing the protestors, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said: "Israel is committing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, while Pakistan's political leadership and the international community remain silent. PML-N, PPP, and PTI must also raise their voices for Gaza and condemn the U.S. and Israel."[20] PML-N refers to Pakistan Muslim League (N) Party of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while PPP stands for Pakistan's People Party led by Bilawal Bhutto, son of President Asif Zardari, and PTI for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman further said: "[Israel] has shredded the United Nations charter. Even today, Israel cannot face Hamas. The brutality in Gaza has exposed the true face of Western leaders. Even in the U.S., 50 percent of people support Palestine. Every child around the world is expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. All political parties should condemn Israel."[21] The JeI leader reminded the protestors that Pakistan's first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was asked to recognize Israel, but he replied: "Our foundation is not for sale" – referring to the religious foundation of the newly created Islamic state of Pakistan.[22] JeI, which is the largest religious organization in Pakistan, also held a nationwide shutter-down strike, in which shops and other businesses close to halt commercial activity as a form of protest, on April 27 to signal popular consensus and pressure the government into adopting a firmer anti-Israel stance.[23] Business centers remained closed in most cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Quetta. Lawyers in various cities also observed a complete strike and boycotted court proceedings. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, addressed a press conference at the Jamaat headquarters Mansoorah in Lahore, where he declared the nationwide shutter-down strike as successful, stating that the success of the strike was a proof that the entire Pakistani nation stands against Israel and India.[24] The strike was held just five days after the April 22 jihadi terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which more than two dozen Hindu males were shot dead.[25] JeI emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman raises slogans during the Gaza Million March on April 20, held to express solidarity with Palestinians As part of the April 27 nationwide strike, local JeI leaders in the city of Hyderabad, Pakistan's Sindh province, held a Press Conference in front of the Hyderabad Press Club. On this occasion, Hafiz Tahir Majeed, the Emir of JeI for Hyderabad district, and other JeI leader Aqeel Ahmad Khan, Abdu Quayyum Sheikh, Muhammad Hanif Sheikh, Abdul Basit Khan, and Hafiz Sufiyan Nasir were present. According to a report in the Urdu daily Roznama Jasarat, Hafiz Tahir Majeed said: "Today's strike was a referendum that has told the entire world that we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Palestine. I salute the citizens of Hyderabad, whose hearts beat with the Muslims of Gaza."[26] "America, Israel, and India play the role of security guards – they have destroyed the peace and order of the entire world," he said, adding: "With America's support, Israel is planning to destroy Gaza. The fate of America, Israel, and India is bringing them toward Pakistan."[27] Hafiz Tahir Majeed slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for terminating the Indus Water Treaty. "If India shows an eye to Pakistan, we have the capability to gouge out both its eyes. We will wipe India from the map. Tomorrow we have to take back Delhi, which belonged to Muslims. Insha'Allah, very soon Pakistan's flag will unfurl over Delhi."[28] The JeI leader said: "The world will see that India, Israel, and America will not find two metres of land on earth. After Pharaoh, they are the people who will be most ashamed in the world."[29] Hafiz Tahir Majeed also accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, adding: "On the issue of Gaza, the entire Pakistani nation stands in unison… If Islamic countries do not make joint efforts regarding a ceasefire, the situation will not be in anybody's control."[30] JeI leaders in Hyderabad city talk to the media on April 27 In Lahore, on April 13, Pakistan's leading religious scholar Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, addressed a Press Conference where he called for the boycott of Israeli products. "We must boycott Israeli products. We want a free Palestinian state. The elders of the entire Muslim world should be gathered in Mecca [to formulate a joint response on Israel]," he said and also expressed support for an independent Kashmir.[31] Calling for "practical steps" for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said: "The army, government, and people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Palestine. Palestine and Gaza are ours – they were and will remain so… Our hearts are with the people of Palestine. May Allah grant freedom to the people of Palestine and Kashmir."[32] He added: "Palestine belongs to the people of Palestine, and no conspiracy to expel the people of Gaza from their land can be accepted. The government and various organizations are sending aid for the people of Palestine. We have remained peaceful in our protest demonstrations. At this time, there is a need to unite the Muslim Ummah, and we appeal to all Muslims to pray."[33] One of the largest anti-Israel protests was organized by JUI-F on May 15 in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan. Addressing the protestors, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman said: "The alliance between India and Israel is part of history. The Modi government, acting as an Israeli representative, carried out attacks in Pakistan but we took revenge for Gaza by giving a befitting reply."[34] It should be noted that in response to the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir, India launched strikes at nine terror centres in Pakistan on May 7, leading to a four-day war with Pakistan.[35] "Israel has been Pakistan's enemy from Day One," Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, adding: "The rulers of Israel were busy in a rabbit's dream but we opposed Israel from Day One and will continue to do so in future, while Jews and Hindus are one…"[36] He added: "Pakistan should be cautious of the India-Israel axis. If Muslim rulers gather courage, then Israel's power can be eliminated."[37] * Mantasha Ansari is a Research Assistant at MEMRI's South Asia Studies Project.
News18
25-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
From PoK To Dhaka, Terror Web Woven By ISI With Hamas Help In Chilling Plot: Top Govt Sources To News18
Last Updated: Intelligence input accessed by News18 reveals all four attackers were trained in PoK camps where Hamas has set up a module inside LeT and JeM facilities with ISI support In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government is working at breakneck speed to ensure that Pakistan and its terror handlers are taught a lesson. Over the past few days, it has been gathering a series of intelligence inputs — some of which, top government sources say, have revealed chilling facts now being used to shape both India's immediate response and its diplomatic outreach to the global community. According to one such input shared exclusively with News18, the attack in Pahalgam closely resembled the Hamas-style offensive carried out in Israel last year, confirming what the government terms as 'India's and the world's worst fears" — that a coordinated ecosystem and pattern is at work, not only to destabilise India, but several other nations as well. The input reveals that the 2025 Pahalgam attack was executed using tactics similar to those adopted by Hamas. Of the four attackers involved, two were Pakistani nationals and two were locals from Kashmir. All four, sources say, were trained in camps located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where Hamas has reportedly set up a dedicated training module within Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) facilities — with backing from Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. Hamas Leaders In Pakistan, Rawalakot Rally With LeT & JeM Commanders Government sources further confirmed that on 5 February, Hamas leaders who had been released by Israel travelled to Pakistan at the invitation of the Pakistani government. They were escorted to PoK to meet with LeT and JeM terrorists. During their visit, a rally was organised in Rawalakot, where the Hamas leaders were paraded on horses through the streets and hailed as liberators. Attending the event were Hamas spokespersons Dr Khalid Qaddoumi and Dr Naji Zaheer, along with senior figures Mufti Azam and Bilal Alsallat. Also present were top Pakistan-based terror leaders: Talha Saif, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar; launching commander Asghar Khan Kashmiri; Masood Ilyas; and several senior LeT commanders. The rally, held under the banner 'Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood," was designed to convey that both Kashmir and Palestine were part of a unified pan-Islamic jihad. Organisers appealed to the Ummah to unite against India and Israel, projecting both nations as aggressors using the shared 'victimhood" narrative. Dhaka Conference Tied To Radicalisation In India's Northeast Another intelligence input, dated 7 October last year, revealed that the ISI had also taken Hamas leaders to Dhaka in an attempt to seed a similar radical ideology aimed at inspiring terror activities in India's northeastern states. The event was hosted by the Islamist organisation 'Al Markazul Islami', founded by Mufti Shahidul Islam, a known radical with direct ties to al-Qaeda. Islam was arrested in 1999 for orchestrating a bomb attack on an Ahmadiya mosque in Khulna that killed eight people. Following his release, he travelled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Africa, receiving explosives training from al-Qaeda operatives. Despite his death in 2023, Shahidul Islam continues to be idolised by extremist outfits like the Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), who view him as a foundational figure. The October event in Dhaka was attended by senior Hamas leaders Sheikh Khaled Quddumi and Political Bureau Chairman Sheikh Khaled Mishal. Among other notable attendees were Pakistan's Shaikhul Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rahman, both known for their influence within radical circles. Military Plans Underway, Global Support Builds The government has already taken several important steps to diplomatically and economically isolate Pakistan. However, sources confirm that military planning is now underway, and inputs such as these are being used to both build international support and mobilise internal resolve for a stronger retaliatory posture. Following the recent violence in Murshidabad, intelligence antennas have gone up even further, with agencies now treating it as part of a larger pattern demanding heightened vigilance and swift response. Significantly, one of the first nations to express solidarity with India was Israel — a country that has itself suffered at the hands of Hamas. The support came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihar, where Israel's backing was seen as a firm message of unity between the two nations against a shared terror threat. As the Indian government accelerates its decision-making and prepares for possible operations, it continues to use these revelations to underscore the global nature of the threat — one that draws from shared ideologies, shared camps, and shared ambitions to destabilise democratic nations through coordinated jihadist violence. tags : hamas attack Lashkar-e-Taiba Pahalgam attack Pakistan ISI Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 14:06 IST News india From PoK To Dhaka, Terror Web Woven By ISI With Hamas Help In Chilling Plot: Top Govt Sources To News18
News18
22-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
J&K's Biggest Terror Attack On Civilians In 2 Decades, Weeks After Hamas, JeM, LeT Leaders Seen Publicly In PoK
Though Indian agencies have not established a Hamas link to the Pahalgam attack, it closely resembles the 7 October 2023 Hamas strike on Israel that led to all-out war Precisely 75 days since senior Hamas leaders were seen in public at a high-profile rally and conference in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—an event that also saw the top leadership from terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM)—Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its most lethal civilian-targeted terror attack in more than two decades. The attack at Pahalgam left over two dozen people dead, including an Israeli and an Italian national. The official figure may also rise, as the government has yet to give details about the casualties. The terrorists used the route from Poonch that is nearest to the site where the conference was conducted, sources added. Though Indian central agencies have not established conclusive proof or a link of direct or indirect involvement of Hamas in the attack, it closely resembles the 7 October 2023 Hamas strike on Israel that led to all-out war. The modus operandi, target selection, and coordination are uncannily similar, though the violence is at a different scale. The conference had already raised concerns among Indian central intelligence agencies, as they expected a 'give and take" treaty of manpower. Sources also said that agencies had inputs on the planning of an attack in J&K. PoK conference About 90-100 terrorists, mostly from foreign countries, were present at the 'Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" on February 5 at Rawalakot, PoK, a senior government official said. According to him, the conference had been organised in order to spin a common tale of Pakistan and Palestine as well-knit united fronts against Israel and India. Hamas leaders such as Dr Khalid Qaddoumi, Dr Naji Zaheer, Mufti Azam, and five others spoke to the assembly. They wore shawls with Pakistan, Palestine, and their organisation's flags printed on them. Talha Saif, the brother of India's most-wanted terrorist Masood Azhar, was also present among key members of the JeM and LeT. An Israeli government official told News18 that intelligence hints that Hamas leaders have in the past made repeated trips to PoK, and Israel has been asking India to officially declare Hamas a terrorist group. Attack parallels On 7 October 2023, Hamas staged a synchronised attack on Israel with a huge rocket barrage against cities such as Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Jerusalem, followed by armed incursions into surrounding towns. Militants attacked civilians, set houses on fire, and engaged in mass killings, including the massacre of more than 260 individuals at a music festival near Re'im. Around 1,200 people were killed in the attack, including soldiers and cops. In an equally ruthless manner, terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, attacked a tourist hub, firing at civilians after allegedly ascertaining their religious identities. With more than two dozen victims, this was the worst terror attack in the region since 2002. Authorities have certified that the attack was well planned and practised, leading to security alerts throughout J&K.
