Muslims, Christians must speak up for Palestinians – Fani-Kayode

Speakers at the 2024 Aqsa Day organised by Muslim Awareness International (MAI) have condemned the ongoing Israeli genocidal war in Gaza and the violation of human rights in Palestine.

The annual event which was used to draw attention to the plights of Palestinians and mobilise solidarity for them in Nigeria, took place at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.

Among the speakers were former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; renowned human rights activist and Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Lakin Akintola; and respected Islamic scholar and Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’i.

With the theme, ‘Free Palestinians: From the River to the Sea’, the speakers took turns to strongly condemn Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians mostly women and children.

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Fani-Kayode who has been very vocal in condemning the genocide against the Palestinians said Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have a duty to speak up against the ongoing aggression against the Palestinians and the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Chief Fani-Kayode, who spoke in a pre-recorded broadcast from Abuja, lamented that “Men, women and children have been killed, butchered and murdered. Christians have been targeted. Muslims have been targeted. Mosques have been blown up. Churches have been blown up. It’s unbelievable. They have decimated the place, attempting to wipe everybody out.”

The MURIC director said no African nation would be condoned for violating the UN resolutions as Israel has done.

Sheikh Shafi’i called for more prayer in the ongoing struggle for a free Palestine.

Shafi’i urged the Nigerian government not to remain neutral on the Palestinian issue but to make its stand known to the world.