Silence from the Minbars as Gaza Burns

As I sit here, reflecting on the situation in Gaza, my heart is heavy with sorrow and grief. The ongoing conflict has stretched on for months, inflicting unimaginable pain and suffering on countless innocent lives. The world watches in fragmented silence, but the true agony is felt most acutely by those living through it day by day. Their pain is beyond what words can convey, and for most of us, it’s beyond what we can even begin to comprehend.

What saddens me deeply is the response of some of our masajids regarding Gaza. Today, I attended the Friday khutbah, hoping to hear a message of solidarity, support, and action for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Instead, the sermon was on the rights of parents—a crucial topic, no doubt, but one that felt misplaced given the current circumstances. Gaza was mentioned only as an afterthought, relegated to an announcement about an upcoming demonstration. That was as far as it went.

It is unfortunate that many masajids have consciously chosen to turn down the volume on Gaza. If I were in a position to run a mosque, the khutbah would be dedicated to Gaza weekly, delving into different aspects of the crisis—humanitarian, political, and spiritual. The tragedy in Gaza isn’t just another news item; nor a curriculum that once covered, the job is done. It is a calamity that demands our sustained attention and action.

The real issue at hand is the self-censorship that seems to have taken hold within our mosques. There is a palpable fear of addressing hot-button issues, likely due to the repercussions that might follow. However, the situation in Gaza encompasses numerous issues that can and should be discussed—from the humanitarian crisis to the broader implications for the Muslim ummah and the world at large.

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ

“You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.” [3:110]

We are described as the best ummah, yet we often wait for non-Muslims to take a stance before we raise our voices. This is a troubling pattern. We should not need external validation to speak out against oppression and injustice. The plight of Gaza should be the loudest cry in our hearts and our communities.

‎إِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ هُمْ وَرَثَةُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ إِنَّ الأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُوَرِّثُوا دِينَارًا وَلاَ دِرْهَمًا إِنَّمَا وَرَّثُوا الْعِلْمَ فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ أَخَذَ بِحَظٍّ وَافِرٍ

“The ulema are the heirs of the Prophets, for the Prophets did not leave behind a Dinar or Dirham, rather they left behind knowledge, so whoever takes it has taken a great share.” [Ibn Majah]

The entire community knows clearly that if any of the prophets were to stand on the minbar today in the present crisis, the khutbah would be focused on Gaza.  As for those imams who are talking about Gaza week in week out, you are truly the heirs of the prophets and leaders of your community.

At the grand age of fifty plus, I understand the sensitivities and constraints imposed by bodies like the Charity Commission. I know the balancing act that many mosque leaders feel they must perform. But “being careful” and “savvy” should not lead to muting our voices for the voiceless. Continuously highlighting the suffering in Gaza not only brings us closer to the pleasure of Allah but also keeps the issue alive in the minds and hearts of our community. Furthermore, it keeps our connection with the global ummah alive.

When caution becomes an excuse for inaction, it is time for deep soul-searching among imams and mosque committees. We must ask ourselves: Are we truly fulfilling our duty as Muslims if we remain silent on such critical issues? Our Iman calls us to stand against injustice, to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. It is time to reclaim our courage and our compassion, and to let Gaza be a constant reminder of our collective duty.

Editor of ReRun