2 Oct 2023: Muslim-Muslim Dialogue on Israel-Palestine
2 October 2023
Muslim-Muslim Dialogue on Israel-Palestine
I met with a friend, a young Muslim scholar whose insights I deeply value. Our long overdue meeting discussed the Abraham Accords, the interfaith dynamics within the peace agreement, and the broader sentiments within the pan-Islamic community towards Israel.
Additionally, I took the opportunity to share my frustrations as a Muslim woman actively engaged in Jewish-Muslim interfaith dialogue and researching the political positions of Muslim nations concerning Israel. Our dialogue gave me valuable insights into Muslim perspectives on Palestine, serving as a much-needed refresher.
Our conversation transcended sentiments about Palestine; it represented an exchange between two Muslims with distinct viewpoints. My friend, a Muslim scholar, and myself, a Muslim actively participating in interfaith dialogues with the Jewish community, including Israelis, engaged in a meaningful exchange of ideas.
The profound attachment of Muslims to Palestine revered as a sacred land across all Abrahamic faiths, is undeniable. It stands as the cradle of numerous Prophets, including Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaq, Ismail, Dawud, Yaqub, Sulayman, Zakariya, Yahya, and Isa. Additionally, the Quran refers to al-Aqsa, where it is believed Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven and communed with God.
While Gaza holds immense historical and religious significance, being the birthplace of Imam al-Shafi'i, the founder of one of the schools of Islamic law, it adds another layer of importance for Muslims adhering to his teachings.
However, the concern for Palestine transcends its sacredness for Muslims; it originates from genuine compassion for fellow Muslims and others enduring hardships under the Israeli occupation, propelled by the Zionist agenda.
In addition to exploring pan-Islamic and Muslim sentiments toward Palestine, our conversation provided me with an opportunity to delve into the settler-colonial analysis of Israel/Palestine. This involved examining perspectives from various scholars, including the seminal work of Edward Said.
Said's analysis can be interpreted through a settler colonialism framework, which views the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as rooted in settler colonial dynamics. This perspective suggests that Israel, established through the displacement and colonisation of indigenous Palestinian land and people, operates as a settler colonial state. His work also sheds light on the historical and ongoing processes of dispossession, displacement, and control characterising the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. He critiques the Orientalist discourse that has dehumanised Palestinians and justified Israeli policies, advocating for a nuanced understanding that recognises Palestinian agency and rights.
While Said's work doesn't explicitly label the situation in Palestine as settler colonialism, it provides insights into the power dynamics, representations, and injustices inherent in the Israeli occupation, aligning with the broader theoretical framework of settler colonialism. Our discussion was instrumental in understanding and analysing narratives against Israel within this context.
Holding the Ropes: Interfaith Dialogue & Reflections Surrounding the Israel-Gaza War is a blog series that follows the events, dialogues and reflections experienced by Nazhath Faheema in the aftermath of the 2023 Israel-Gaza war. Triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s military response, there continues to be widespread destruction and civilian displacement in Gaza. Additionally, Israeli hostages remain in captivity.
Against this backdrop, Nazhath Faheema, through her reflections, provides insights into the dynamics of the war, its impact on interfaith relations, and the inherent challenges and opportunities in fostering understanding and empathy between Jewish and Muslim communities.
