Nigerian Muslims staged a massive rally in Lagos, voicing their unequivocal support for the people of Palestine and demanding an immediate end to the relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces.
Organized by the Conference of Islamic Organizations (CIO), the protest brought together thousands of demonstrators, both male and female, who gathered at Ojota Park in Lagos State, bearing placards that bore messages of compassion and unity. Their slogans included, ‘Al-Quds belongs to the Muslims,’ ‘Israel, stop killing Palestinian children,’ ‘End the bloodshed in Gaza,’ ‘Good people of America must stop Joe Biden’s collaboration with killers,’ and other heartfelt pleas for an end to the ongoing violence.
A central demand of the protesters was that the Nigerian government should temporarily suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel until a Two-State resolution is achieved. They expressed deep concern about the escalating crisis and urged the international community, led by the United Nations, to exert pressure on Israel to halt its bombings in Gaza and other affected regions.
In a resolution read by Professor Isa Maishanu, Dean of the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, and Advisor to the Vice Chancellor of Afro-Asian University in Somalia, the support groups, under the banner of the Pan-Nigerian Front for The Support of Palestine, made several critical points.
Firstly, they called on the United Nations to take the lead in creating humanitarian corridors to ensure that aid and relief packages reach Gaza and other affected areas. Furthermore, they stressed that any interim peace process must include the lifting of the siege on Gaza.
The protesters also expressed their disapproval of the United States and the European Union’s support for Israel and held them complicit in the ongoing human tragedy. They called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to initiate prosecutions for the war crimes committed by Israel, taking into account the violation of international law, including the Geneva Convention.
The rally attendees affirmed that Hamas should not be labeled as a terrorist organization but rather as an elected representative of the people engaged in a resistance struggle against an occupying force, as allowed by international law.
The international community, led by the UN, was urged to take control of the peace process from the United States, which is seen as part of the Israeli occupation machinery. The protesters emphasized the importance of working toward the two-state solution, compelling Israel to cease settlement construction and lift its siege on Gaza.
The CIO called on the Arab League, African Union, and other regional governments to exert pressure that would encourage Israel to conform to international laws and norms.
Furthermore, the protesters sounded a warning to any Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel, urging them to halt such efforts as they play into Israel’s hands. They urged the global audience to boycott Israeli products and those affiliated with Israel, encouraged corporate entities to divest from associations tied to Israel, and called for governments to impose sanctions on the Zionist state.
The rally garnered support from various quarters, including the Board of Trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria and the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Ibrahim Musa. They condemned the ongoing violence, particularly against children, women, the disabled, and the elderly. Amnesty International continued to demand justice, accountability, and a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The event’s organizers, speakers, and attendees emphasized that the rally was a resounding call for justice and a plea for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict. The rally expressed a united and impassioned voice in support of the Palestinian people, demanding an immediate end to the violence and a commitment to lasting peace.
In their closing remarks, they implored the international community to initiate genuine dialogues that can lead to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in the interest of justice, human rights, and peace.