The sixth annual Global Week of Jerusalem, themed “Gaza and Jerusalem: A Hopeful Future,” commenced today across more than 20 nations and numerous cities worldwide. The event has garnered significant public and official engagement from academic, advocacy, media, and civil society organizations, as well as influential figures from various countries.
Concurrently with the week’s launch, Istanbul hosted an extensive meeting of the organizing committee. This gathering brought together prominent scholars, thinkers, and opinion leaders to outline the campaign’s objectives and coordinate mobilization efforts across participating nations.
In Doha, Qatar, the International Union of Muslim Scholars officially announced the start of the activities during a press conference at its headquarters. Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi, the Union’s Secretary-General, emphasized that the Week of Jerusalem has evolved beyond a symbolic occasion. It now serves as a recurring annual platform for mobilization, designed to keep the issues of Jerusalem and Gaza at the forefront of the Ummah’s consciousness and actions.
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi explained that the selection of the last week of Rajab for these activities holds deep symbolic and historical significance. It coincides with the anniversary of Isra and Mi’raj (The Night Journey and Ascension) and the liberation of Jerusalem by Saladin, underscoring the holy city’s central role in Islamic faith and the collective consciousness of Muslim peoples.
According to organizers, this widespread movement occurs at a critical juncture. The Gaza Strip is enduring an ongoing war, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque faces increasing incursions. This context lends the week’s activities exceptional mobilization power, positioning them as both a field-level and symbolic extension of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. This operation has returned Palestine to the heart of Arab and Islamic awareness, exposing the deep conflict over Jerusalem’s identity and its place in the Ummah’s heart.
Nawaf Al-Takruri, head of the Palestine Scholars Association and the Ummah Scholars Coordination – the founding body of the Global Week of Jerusalem – stated that Jerusalem is currently facing the most dangerous stages of Judaization. He emphasized the importance of continued action and awareness. The week aims to amplify the voices advocating for justice and peace in the region.
