From IIUM to the World: A Call for Justice and Peace in Palestine

On October 10, 2025, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) created history by organizing a historic peace march for Gaza-the first of its kind within its campus. IIUM is proud to declare that it is the first university in Malaysia to hold such an event, in recognition of the great determination and resilience demonstrated to the world by the oppressed and downtrodden people of Palestine.

The three-kilometre walk was joined by academicians, students, and administrative staff of the university. Academic Staff Association (ASA), IIUM, as the organizer of the event, gave the honour to two Palestinian academics from AHAS KIRKHS and a postgraduate student from Kulliyyah of Education (KOED) to share their thoughts on the latest developments in Gaza.

Along the walking trail around the campus, participants chanted slogans not only to express solidarity with the heroic people of Gaza but also to condemn the genocide carried out by the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces).

Last week's event was more elaborate than the weekly rallies held after Jum'ah prayers in front of the grand Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (SHAS) Mosque on campus. Events such as the peace walk and the condemnation of genocide are organized to educate and mobilize students to love world peace and the coexistence of human societies wherever they are in this world.

(Participants of the Peace March for Gaza at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on October 10, 2025, walking in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.)

Malaysian Government and IIUM

It is important to state here that in the Malay world-Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei-as Muslim countries, they share a special relationship. They help one another, and any differences among them are resolved amicably. To this day, the Malay world serves as a good example to the rest of the Muslim world, especially those in the Middle East. The glue that binds the three nations is concepts like one religion (Islam), one ethnicity, one region and commonalities found in the language.

In the case of Malaysia, though not as affluent as the Middle East, the people of this country have always supported humanity when it is in crisis. Malaysia was at the forefront in helping Palestinians, Syrians, Afghans, Rohingyas, and other nations facing famine, war, invasion, ethnic cleansing, and human catastrophe. In participating in debates at the United Nations, Malaysia has spoken vehemently against war, foreign intervention, injustice, and genocide, and, at one time, even called for the restructuring of the UN.

Ever since its existence, Malaysia has participated in many peacekeeping missions mobilized under the UN mandate. Malaysia is not a war-mongering country. It believes in dialogue to resolve border disputes and other differences with its neighbours.

Like Malaysia, IIUM, as an academic institution, shares many values with the government of Malaysia. It has a diverse student and academic population, coming from around 116-117 countries across the world. It unites everyone on campus with the belief in one God and one humanity.

In addition to emphasising academic excellence, IIUM also focuses on developing students' personality and leadership qualities to serve humanity and be voices of peace and harmony in a world so torn apart because of war and political ideologies. IIUM stands firmly against injustice and racism. It upholds the principles of human justice, equality, and freedom for all. It respects human dignity and differences of race, religion, ethnicity and language.

Lessons Israel can Learn from the Malay world

The atrocities of the Israeli regime in Israel have become public knowledge, which it can no longer hide from the eyes of the world. The Israeli leaders are now seen as the number one criminal figures in the world. The genocide of more than 60,000 Palestinian men, women, and children will stay as a stain that has not only exposed what is happening in Gaza but has also smeared the name of Israel. I believe Israel needs at least 100 years as an atonement for its injustice, genocide, and for stealing the lands of the Palestinians.

In the Malay world, one can witness the coexistence of many different cultures, customs, religions, and languages. The minorities living in this region are treated fairly. They are allowed to practice their religions, speak their native languages, and celebrate their religious festivals. Their rights as citizens are never ignored. They are free to engage in business, participate in politics, and even be elected as members of parliament.

Looking at such a scenario in the Malay world, particularly in Malaysia, Israel should learn a valuable lesson on how to coexist peacefully within its own borders and with its neighbours. In Malaysia, peace is maintained amid a majority Malay population alongside minorities such as Indians, Chinese, indigenous peoples, Eurasians, foreign workers, expatriates, and others. Israel should understand that torture, persecution, oppression, and ethnic cleansing will never succeed in the long run. At present, its interpretation of the concept of "God's Chosen People" is problematic. Israel must revisit this concept and reinterpret it in a more spiritual and ethical manner. According to most Islamic scholars, the Israelites were not chosen to brutalize or kill innocent individuals who are not Jewish; rather, they were chosen to deliver the message of the One God to all nations.

Human Greatness in the Sight of God

"The Day when neither wealth nor children can help. Except for him who comes to Allah with a sound heart [qalbun saleem]." [Surah Shuara 26: 88-89].

Humanity Has Won, and Israel Has Lost

The IDF and the mainstream Western media have lost not only the narrative but also the truth of what is happening on the ground in Palestine. For the first time since its establishment, Israel has lost a large number of its troops in fighting the resistance forces in Palestine, especially in Gaza. On the other hand, humanity, with its continuous street rallies across the world, has managed to rise above mainstream media and expose the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

Netanyahu and his killing forces were shocked to see that this time the masses in the West, after learning the truth of what was happening in Palestine, stood on the side of the Palestinians and even called for the liberation and independence of Palestine.

A Salutation to the Army that Defends the Palestinians

A Way Forward for Netanyahu's Regime

The views expressed herein are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak of the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of IslamiCity.