Asian Muslim Nations Call For Action Against Israel Over Strike On Qatar

ISTANBUL, Sept 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Asian Muslim countries on Monday called for action against Israel over its “reckless” airstrike on Qatar’s capital and for its membership in the UN to be suspended.

Their heads of government were addressing a special Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha held in the wake of last week’s strike, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denounced the Israeli strike as “blatant terrorism violating all international norms” aimed at “undermining efforts to stop the genocide in Gaza.”

He accused Israel of attacking multiple Arab and Islamic countries under the pretext of self-defence and criticised Western cover for Israel’s actions. Pezeshkian stressed the need for Arab and Islamic unity against Israel, noting that “no Arab or Islamic country is safe from Israeli attacks.”

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu condemned the Israeli attack, describing it as a “violation of Qatari sovereignty” and a “brazen assault” on the dignity of the entire Arab and Islamic world.

He noted that Qatar, a central mediator for peace in Gaza, deserves recognition rather than punishment and warned that by striking Doha, Israel seeks to “undermine peace efforts and destabilise the region.”

He urged that Israeli leaders be held accountable for war crimes through coordinated political, economic and diplomatic measures, further calling for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the UN to suspend Israel, calling for an Arab-Islamic task force to combat "expansionist designs."

“Israel's genocidal campaign has reduced Gaza to rubble and ruin. The world shall always bear the scars of this unending carnage etched on the very soul of humanity. Injustice has reached an unbearable level. This must stop! And stop now,” he said.

Shehbaz called for the “creation of an Arab-Islamic Task Force to adopt effective measures to ward off Israeli expansionist designs,” reiterating the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s demand to suspend Israel's UN membership.

“The UN Security Council must urgently demand from Israel, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners,” he added.

He also called for “guaranteed, sustained and secure” humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Gaza as well as the protection of relief workers, medical personnel and journalists.

Bangladesh termed the unprovoked and unjustifiable Israeli attack on the sovereign territory of Qatar as not merely an attack on Qatar but an affront to the dignity of the entire Muslim Ummah, or community, according to a Foreign Ministry statement Monday.

Bangladesh described this aggression as part of a reckless adventure by Israel, which continues to disregard the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and repeated UN resolutions, calling for coordinated diplomatic, political and economic measures by all OIC member states to deter further Israeli provocation and aggression.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain attended the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the Palestinian question is “not solely about Palestine, it's about the survival of our nations, the dignity of our people and the sanctity of international law.”

“Indonesia believes that this summit must not only issue collective condemnation against Israel but also urge the UN Security Council to fulfil its mandate by taking firm and urgent measures to ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence,” he said.

“We must not lose sight of the root cause, which is Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine. For Indonesia, the path to lasting peace remains unchanged: the realisation of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital based on relevant UN resolutions.

“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Qatar, with Palestine, and with all nations that uphold international law and humanity,” he added.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU