Senator Mushahid proposes action for Palestine

Hails resistance movements, lauds Erdogan as 'lion of the Muslim world'

ANKARA:

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has praised the resistance of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran against Israeli aggression, describing their stance as exemplary models of "might is not right, but right is might".

He also lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership, calling him the "lion of the Muslim world," while also congratulating him on his recent electoral victory.

Senator Mushahid delivered these remarks during his keynote address at the 'Global Palestine Conference' in Ankara, at the invitation of President Erdogan's AK Party. The conference, with Erdogan as the chief guest, saw over 1,000 attendees from more than 50 countries gather in solidarity.

As a member of the executive board of Istanbul's 'Al Quds Parliament' and co-chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), Mushahid also condemned Israel for committing what he termed "the first televised genocide in history".

He took aim at Western powers for their double standards in supporting Israel, while expressing disappointment in the failure of some Muslim regimes to act, attributing their inaction to either fear or expediency.

In his action plan, Mushahid first called on President Erdogan to lead an international delegation of Global South leaders—including those from Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Algeria, and Brazil—to visit Washington after the November 5 US presidential elections.

Their mission would be to urge the incoming US president to reassess the one-sided American policy of unequivocal support for Israel.

Second, Senator Mushahid proposed that Türkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia form a joint naval flotilla for peace and humanitarian assistance. Authorised by the UN General Assembly, this flotilla would deliver essential supplies to Gaza, which he termed the "world's largest open-air prison," breaking Israel's blockade.

"This will send a powerful and positive message to the oppressed Palestinian people that the Muslim Ummah is not an impotent entity, rather it has the vision and political will to undertake concrete initiatives."

Third, Mushahid urged the revival of the 2019 Global Media Initiative led by Erdogan and Malaysia's Dr Mahathir, to counter Western media bias in crises like Gaza.

He highlighted the need for journalists, academics, and intellectuals to champion the narratives of the Global South on issues such as Palestine, Kashmir, Islamophobia, and Rohingya.

This initiative, he stressed, could lay the groundwork for an equitable global order based on justice and the rule of law.

He added that the sacrifices of the people of Palestine and Lebanon and the blood of the martyrs of Palestine and Kashmir would not go in vain.

Mushahid concluded his address by invoking the Latin maxim "Carpe Diem" (seize the moment), emphasising the need for immediate action.