19th International Muslim Forum Held in Russia with Focus on Gaza

The 19th edition of the International Forum of Russia and the Islamic World was held in Moscow on Tuesday. It was overshadowed by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The establishment of an independent Palestinian state would end violence and ensure long-term peace and stability in the region, the head of the Russian Muftis Council said at this conference.

Ravil Gaynutdin said at the 19th Muslim Forum in Moscow that Russia is in favor of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“This is the fundamental solution to end violence, ensure long-term peace and stable development in the Middle East, global security and reduce tensions around the world,” he said.

Emphasizing that the issue should be resolved politically, he said the continuation of violence would lead to new conflicts.

“Without just and comprehensive peace in the Holy Land (Jerusalem), no one’s security in the region can be ensured. The Middle East issue remains one of the most complex global problems from the beginning,” he said.

He stressed that the current crisis can only be resolved by the formation of a “just world order” based on the principles of multipolarity and the balance of different centers of power.

Mahmud Erol Kilic, the head of the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), said the result of aggressive actions against Palestinians in Gaza is a clear violation of international law.

Kilic said religion should play an important role in guiding people in this period.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza has soared to 18,412, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said Monday.

At least 50,100 others have been injured, according to ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra.

He said 22 hospitals and 46 primary care centers were forced out of service due to the bombardment.

“At least 296 medics were also killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7,” added al-Qudra.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza following an attack Oct. 7 by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Israeli border towns.​​​​​​​

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, according to official figures.