New Delhi : In a moving and powerful address at the Palestine Solidarity Conference in New Delhi, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini emphasized that Gaza is not merely a geographical entity but a living symbol of resistance and moral clarity in an increasingly unjust global order.
The conference, jointly organized by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) and the India-Palestine Friendship Forum, drew a high-profile audience, including senior diplomats, former union ministers, and civil society leaders. Notable attendees included Palestinian Ambassador to India Dr. Abdullah Abu M Shawesh, Iranian Ambassador Dr. Iraj Elahi, former Union Ministers Mani Shankar Aiyar and Salman Khurshid, former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, and IMCR Chairman and former MP Mohammad Adeeb.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Husaini opened his speech by paying tribute to three nations—Palestine, Iran, and South Africa—for their “historic courage” in standing up against imperialist and apartheid forces.
Highlighting the ongoing destruction in Gaza, Mr. Husaini stated, “We are not merely honouring countries or individuals—we are celebrating ideals like dignity, justice, freedom, and resistance. Tragically, Gaza has become the first casualty of global war politics.”
He strongly condemned the silence of powerful nations, calling it a “collapse of conscience.” “More than a hundred thousand people have been killed. Children, women, and relief workers have perished. Hospitals have turned to rubble. And yet, the world remains silent,” he said.
Framing the Palestinian struggle as a universal symbol of human dignity, Mr. Husaini remarked, “Gaza is not just a place, it is a principle. A principle that declares dignity is not negotiable, even under siege.”
He warned that the events in Gaza are not isolated, but part of a broader imperial strategy to dominate and destabilize sovereign nations and silence resistance.
Calling support for Palestine a moral obligation, not a charitable act, Mr. Husaini said, “This is a civilizational test. Supporting Palestine is our historical responsibility.”
Drawing parallels with colonialism and apartheid, he said the same forces that looted the Global South are now using economic sanctions, military force, and political manipulation to continue their domination. “If Palestine falls, it sends a message that resistance is futile. But if Palestine rises, it inspires hope that freedom is possible,” he asserted.
The JIH leader also lauded Iran and South Africa for their unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause. He applauded Iran for its resilience despite decades of sanctions and isolation, and South Africa for its bold legal challenge at the International Court of Justice, calling it a “model of moral courage.”
“When legality is manipulated and humanity is ignored, moral clarity becomes the highest form of leadership,” he added.
Urging the Indian government to return to its historical stance on Palestine, Mr. Husaini reminded the audience of India’s legacy in opposing apartheid and supporting oppressed peoples. “Let us not abandon our anti-colonial soul. Let our foreign policy be guided by constitutional values, not political expediency,” he said.
“Neutrality in the face of genocide is not diplomacy. It is complicity. It is a failure of humanity,” he stated bluntly.
Mr. Husaini called on the Global South to rise not just politically but morally, to challenge imperialism and defend human dignity. He identified three key contributions of Palestine’s resistance and international solidarity: first, resisting imperialist efforts to control the Global South; second, exposing the hypocrisy and double standards of world powers; and third, igniting global awareness against modern colonialism and apartheid.
He concluded his speech with a fervent call to action: “Let us raise our voices in Parliament, in classrooms, in the press, and in the streets. Silence is not neutrality—it is betrayal.”
Expressing hope and determination, Mr. Husaini ended by affirming the enduring spirit of the resistance: “May our unity become our strength. And may Al-Quds, soon, InshaAllah, breathe free under a sky of justice, peace, and dignity.”
