In Makkah, the Muslims were subjected to severe torture, oppression, threats, beatings, imprisonment, economic and social embargoes. These hardships became unbearable for them. Every day, the Muslims appealed to the Prophet (pbuh), seeking a solution to the persecution, torture and embargo they were being subjected to. This situation of the Companions upset the Prophet (pbuh) and he pointed with his index finger to a country in the south and said: “Surely there is a king there under whom no one is ever oppressed. And it is the land of truth.”
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Following the Prophet’s advice, fifteen people, four of them women, migrated to Abyssinia in 615. These first emigrants were well received by King Najāshī Ashame and a year later a larger group followed the same path.
What is happening in Gaza today is very similar to the situation of the first Muslims. It is exactly 100 days since the latest invasion and massacres began. The world is still reeling from the reverberations of this tragedy, which has claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including children and women. While demonstrations and international outcries have been raised, the relentless bombardments and massacres continue. For 100 days, the fighting has turned civilian life upside down. Every day women and children are victims of senseless violence. Civilian areas, schools and hospitals are particularly targeted and the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe is growing. This is happening in front of the eyes of the international community.
14 centuries later, it was as if a hand again pointed to the just king and the land of righteousness in the South in the face of the oppression and embargo that the Gazans were subjected to. This time, that just king and the country of righteousness in the South was again South Africa, the land of Najashi. South Africa took an important step by taking these inhumane events to the International Court of Justice in a bold move. This is a promising development towards the reinstatement of international institutions and the restoration of justice. South Africa’s courageous move could set an example for other countries and break the silence of the international community on this issue. And there it is! The severe torture, oppression, threats, beatings, imprisonment, economic and social embargoes that Muslims were subjected to in Mecca are similar to the persecution of the oppressed in different periods of history. Like the early Muslims, the people of Gaza are resisting under harsh conditions.
The occupation that began 76 years ago and the massacres of the last 100 days offer important lessons to the world from Gaza. The first lesson to be learned from Gaza is the importance of standing by the oppressed. If you do not stand with the oppressed, you are nothing in the name of humanity. To remain indifferent to the suffering of the oppressed, to remain silent about their oppression, is actually a betrayal of human dignity. This applies not only to international leaders and politicians, but to all citizens of the world.
The second lesson from Gaza is that no international organization or body is enough to save the oppressed. The efforts of institutions like the United Nations and the international community are often insufficient. This shows that international institutions need to be restructured and made more effective. It also highlights the need for individuals and civil society organizations to take a more active role in the struggle for justice and human rights.
In short, Gaza’s resistance and struggle instills hope in all humanity with the lessons it teaches the world. South Africa’s referral of this tragedy to the International Court of Justice can be seen as an important step towards reactivating international institutions and ensuring justice. World leaders and the international community must take concrete steps to stop this violence and stand with the oppressed. Every individual has a responsibility to speak out for justice and human rights, to take action and stand with the oppressed. The tragedy in Gaza should raise global awareness and mobilize all of us for a more just and peaceful world for humanity. Gaza’s 100 days of resistance should open the eyes of the world and make the international community take a more active stance against such tragedies. This can be a beacon of hope not only for Gaza, but for all oppressed and freedom-seeking peoples.
