The war no one sees is casting an unrelenting shadow over Gaza, and the suffering of its people is intensifying by the hour.

With Israel ramping up its military operations, Gaza has tragically become the epicenter of what many are calling an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, a “genocide in plain sight.” Calls for a ceasefire have gone unheard as the conflict escalates, spilling over into Lebanon and deepening the crisis.

As the death toll surpasses 41,000, and with each passing day bringing new waves of destruction, Gaza’s civilians are trapped in a relentless cycle of terror and uncertainty.

Families huddle together in homes reduced to rubble, parents are grieving for children they couldn’t protect, and hospitals, overflowing and under-resourced, struggle to care for the wounded. Life in Gaza has devolved into a harrowing fight for survival, where each day brings new heartache, and the hope of relief seems further and further out of reach.

What will it take to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis? In a world that’s watching but not yet acting decisively, is there a way to bring peace and stability to the people of Gaza?

Ending this crisis will take more than calls for ceasefires or temporary measures; it will require a global commitment to uphold humanity, demand justice, and work toward lasting peace.

What is Currently Happening in Gaza?

Gaza is in utter despair. The war has taken a devastating new turn, with Israel intensifying its bombings, leaving the region in relentless chaos and destruction.

After the targeted killings of Hamas’s supreme commander and Iran’s supreme leader, Iran retaliated against Israel with drones and missiles. In response, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, sparking even greater devastation. What little remained standing in Gaza is now on the brink of collapse.

Schools that once served as fragile shelters for families are now reduced to ashes, with no refuge left for those desperately seeking safety. The northern region of Gaza is being evacuated under gunpoint, while Palestinian teens are being forced to strip and walk in humiliating lines, with no dignity spared.

Humanitarian aid—previously trickling in through borders from other countries and the UN—has been largely cut off. Attacks on hospitals, schools, and aid tents continue without warning, intensifying daily to an unimaginable level, as if Gaza itself is being systematically erased.

The fear, grief, and despair of Gaza’s people are overwhelming as they witness their world disappearing, wondering if anyone will stand up to end their suffering.

Enduring the Unthinkable: The Human Toll of Gaza’s Crisis

What is unfolding in Gaza goes beyond the realm of conflict; it is devastation on an unimaginable scale. According to official sources, thousands are under relentless bombardment, with civilians struggling to survive amidst rapidly deteriorating conditions. 

Reports from the UN Human Rights Office and other humanitarian bodies reveal scenes of people huddling in makeshift shelters, often constructed from whatever they can find, such as plastic bags and wooden scraps. 

Families are forced to endure shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies while constantly moving to escape the latest round of airstrikes. For many, life now means seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters or ruined schools, only to see these places targeted again in continued attacks.

One heart-wrenching account comes from an official at the UN, who described watching over a hundred children chase after a lone food cart—a tragic reminder of how scarce resources have become for Gaza’s 2 million residents, half of whom are children. 

The scarcity of aid is felt even more as supplies that manage to cross borders are limited by the dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, hospitals struggle to function with dwindling medical supplies, unable to treat the increasing number of casualties, and some have faced attacks themselves, leaving thousands without essential care.

Even the basics of humanitarian aid are now nearly impossible to deliver effectively, hindered by severe restrictions on movement and escalations in violence. Representatives from the UN have voiced that an immediate ceasefire and an “enabling environment” for aid are the only ways to provide an effective humanitarian response in Gaza. 

Without political commitment, the efforts of humanitarian workers on the ground cannot meet the overwhelming needs of Gaza’s population. The international community has called repeatedly for a lasting resolution, emphasizing the severe risks of disease outbreaks due to unsafe sanitary conditions and lack of vaccinations—conditions that many officials warn could lead to even more tragic losses if urgent action is not taken.

What Will It Take To End the Gaza Humanitarian Crisis?

Ceasefire!

Humanitarian organizations and leaders around the world are unanimous: Gaza needs an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and enable lifesaving aid. Without one, the consequences may spiral further into catastrophe.

As Dr. Tedros urges, protecting hospitals, health workers, and patients is the most fundamental step in averting a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Ending this crisis requires international voices to unite for Gaza. Leading powers, including the U.S., European nations, Russia, and others, must unite to amplify calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian protection. Only with coordinated global pressure can diplomatic efforts potentially lead to sustainable peace and end suffering.

A ceasefire alone is not enough; there must be accessible and safe channels for humanitarian aid currently restricted at border crossings.

This blockade prevents access to essential items like food, water, and medical supplies, violating the fundamental rights and dignity of those in Gaza.

World leaders must come to the table, with ceasefire negotiations as a non-negotiable first step. If left unchecked, the scale of this crisis could destabilize the region and escalate into larger global conflicts. Immediate, concerted action is critical—not just to prevent further suffering but also to work toward a stable, humane future for Gaza and the region.

Ending the suffering requires not just diplomatic words but concrete actions from all parties involved, focusing on peace, protection of human rights, and preservation of life.

The debate over Uniform Civil Code in India has reached its crescendo. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the ball rolling last month when he asked— “Can a country be run on two laws?” The question posed by Modi has started a debate in India.

What are Personal Laws?

India follows legal pluralism with different religious communities following their own personal laws. Personal laws include matters of inheritance, divorce, child custody and alimony. Personal laws have their origins in British colonialism. Various history scholars have argued that Personal Laws in India were introduced by the British in order to “divide and rule” Indians along religious lines. However, there are counterarguments also that contend that the British introduced Personal Laws to preserve the culture of different religious communities in the Indian subcontinent.

Even though Hindu Personal Laws have been codified and reformed starting in the 1950s, Muslim Personal Law has not been reformed over time.

It is pertinent to mention that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) staunchly opposed the codification and the reformation of Hindu Personal Laws in the early 1950s.

However, now that the BJP is in power, the RSS is pushing for a Uniform Civil Code.

The BJP claims that Muslim Personal Laws are an aberration because of Congress’ Muslim appeasement. The party further alleges that the personal laws perpetuate gender inequality in the Muslim community.

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Muslim Women Equality and Uniform Civil Code

The origin of the debate over Muslim women’s equality and the Uniform Civil Code goes back to the early 1980s.

The Mohd. Ahmad Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum & Ors. or the Shah Bano maintenance case is seen as a landmark case in India’s legal history that had significant implications for the rights of Muslim women in matters of divorce and maintenance. In 1978, a 62-year-old Muslim woman named Shah Bano sought maintenance from her husband, Mohammed Ahmed Khan, after he divorced her through Triple Talaq. Shah Bano’s husband refused to provide her maintenance, leaving her in a difficult financial situation. Shah Bano approached the courts seeking financial support from her husband under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which provides for maintenance to be given to a wife by her husband if she is unable to maintain herself.

The case reached the Supreme Court of India in 1985. The court ruled in favour of Shah Bano, stating that she was entitled to maintenance from her husband even after the divorce. The judgment was significant because it recognized that Muslim women could claim maintenance under secular law rather than solely being governed by Muslim Personal Law. However, the verdict was met with strong opposition from conservative Muslim groups, who argued that the court’s interference in Muslim personal law violated their religious rights. The Congress-led Indian government, under pressure from various Muslim organizations, passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986. The act overturned the Supreme Court verdict in the Shah Bano case and limited the maintenance period for divorced Muslim women to the Iddat period as laid down by Shariah.

The Shah Bano case and the subsequent passage of the Act sparked debates and discussions about the rights of Muslim women in India and the tension between personal laws and the principles of gender equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing discussions surrounding the rights and status of women in the context of personal laws in India.

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What is Uniform Civil Code?

A Uniform Civil Code will abolish all personal laws and govern all the citizens of India with a uniform law. The marriage, divorce, inheritance, child custody, alimony and maintenance will be uniform for all the citizens irrespective of their religion.

For Muslims, the opinion of religious scholars on the above-mentioned personal matters will no longer hold. The courts will decide these matters according to the secular laws of the country.

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Liberal Defence of Uniform Civil Code

Liberal intellectuals across India are defending the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. They argue that personal laws have perpetuated gender inequality in various religious communities. Further, they also see Uniform Civil Code as a vehicle of progress for the religious communities.

Their arguments are based on the fact that the founding fathers of India’s Constitution did not conceive India as a federation of religions.

Concerns over Uniform Civil Code

Minorities, especially Muslims have raised genuine concerns about the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in India.

First, the demand for Uniform Civil Code is coming from the BJP-led government. Muslims do not trust the BJP government. The BJP government is using gender inequality in the Muslim community to emphasise the importance of the Uniform Civil Code. However, if BJP’s historical record concerning Muslims is considered, one cannot trust that they are well-wishers of Muslim women.

Second, if the record of the previous nine years of BJP rule is analysed, Muslims have been pushed to the margins. While the BJP government in Karnataka banned Hijab in schools and colleges, it did not take similar action against the religious symbols of other religious communities. Similarly, there have been several incidents where BJP-led state governments took action against Muslims who offered prayers publicly, but the same state governments facilitated the public religious expression of the Hindu community.

 Therefore, the Muslim community of India is facing a dilemma. While they are not against the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code but at the same time they fear that the Code will be an expression of Hindu majoritarianism.

The recent visit of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Chief of the Muslim World League, to India holds significant importance in fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting peace, and countering extremism. Al-Issa’s condemnation of terrorist organizations, emphasis on the disassociation between Islam and extremism, and calls for unity and love amidst conflicts resonate with diverse communities. His visit to prominent religious sites, including the Akshardham temple and the Jama Masjid, further reinforces the significance of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among different faiths in the pursuit of global harmony.

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Muslim World League’s Efforts for Peace and Countering Extremism

The Muslim World League, under Al-Issa’s leadership, has been actively engaged in countering extremist ideologies and promoting peace globally. Al-Issa’s visit to India provides an opportunity to reinforce their commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among political and religious leaders, addressing critical issues related to countering extremism and promoting harmony within societies.

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Emphasizing Islam’s Rejection of Extremism

During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa made significant remarks emphasizing Islam’s rejection of extremism and its commitment to peace and harmony. He highlighted that extremist organizations do not represent Islam or any other religion, emphasizing their disconnection from religious teachings.

“Islam does not like double-speak and Muslims need to be truthful,” the Muslim World League secretary general said in his sermon delivered in Arabic.

Al-Issa emphasized the need to counter the distortion of the Islamic faith by terrorist organizations, emphasizing that Islam stands for peace, love, and harmony. He reiterated that the teachings of Islam promote compassion, tolerance, and respect for all humanity.

By underscoring the message that Islam has no place for extremism, Al-Issa aims to dispel misconceptions and bridge gaps between different religious communities. His statements seek to foster understanding, promote interfaith dialogue, and combat the spread of extremist ideologies that falsely claim religious justifications for violence.

Through his leadership in the Muslim World League, Al-Issa and the organization actively work to counter extremist ideologies and promote a peaceful interpretation of Islam. Their efforts include educational programs, interfaith initiatives, and ideological interventions aimed at fostering a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

Al-Issa’s emphasis on Islam’s rejection of extremism not only reaffirms the commitment of the Muslim World League but also serves as a powerful message to Muslims around the world. It reinforces the importance of understanding and living by the true principles of Islam while rejecting any form of violence or extremism.

In conclusion, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa’s emphasis on Islam’s rejection of extremism highlights the core values of peace, love, and harmony within the religion. His efforts to counter the distortion of Islamic teachings by extremist groups contribute to fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting understanding, and working towards a more peaceful and inclusive world.

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Interfaith Engagement at Akshardham Temple and Jama Masjid

Al-Issa’s visit to the Akshardham temple and Jama Masjid exemplifies his commitment to interfaith dialogue and fostering understanding among diverse religious communities.

At the Akshardham temple, Al-Issa not only admired the architecture and cultural heritage but also engaged with the Swamis to discuss matters related to global peace, harmony, and coexistence. This interaction provided a unique opportunity for an exchange of perspectives, fostering deeper understanding and mutual respect among different faith traditions.

Similarly, Al-Issa’s presence at the historic Jama Masjid during Friday prayers was a significant gesture of solidarity and outreach to the Muslim community in India. His participation in the prayers underscored the importance of unity and shared values across religious boundaries, reinforcing the need for peaceful coexistence and interfaith cooperation. Ahead of the prayer, Al-Issa met Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid.

These interfaith engagements highlight the significance of dialogue, respect, and mutual learning in promoting peaceful relations among diverse religious communities. By engaging with leaders and communities of different faiths, Al-Issa aims to bridge gaps, dispel misconceptions, and foster harmonious relationships based on shared values of love, peace, and understanding.

These initiatives contribute to building trust and strengthening bonds among people from various religious backgrounds, paving the way for a more inclusive and tolerant society. They demonstrate the Muslim World League’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, promoting harmony, and working towards a peaceful coexistence where diverse religious communities can thrive together.

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Efforts to Counter Extremism and Promote Peace

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa reiterated the Muslim World League’s dedication to countering extremism and promoting peace globally. Their initiatives focus on ideological interventions, countering hate narratives, and fostering dialogue to eliminate extremist ideas and foster a climate of harmony and understanding. Al-Issa’s visit to India serves as a platform to strengthen collaborations in countering extremism, promoting interfaith harmony, and advancing peacebuilding efforts.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa’s visit to India as Chief of the Muslim World League carries significant implications for fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting peace, and countering extremism. His emphasis on Islam’s rejection of extremism, engagement with diverse religious sites, and commitment to countering extremist ideologies reflect the efforts of the Muslim World League in combating the distortion of religious teachings. Through dialogue, understanding, and concerted actions, Al-Issa and the Muslim World League strive to build bridges among different faiths and promote a climate of peace, love, and harmony in India and beyond.

However, Abdulkarim Al-Issa chose not to speak of the atrocities happening in India against the Muslim population nor did he speak of the Kashmir issue, and what people are calling a bloody silence disappointed many Muslims.

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