By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, Aug. 2, ’25 (TNZ) The Muslim Awareness International (MAI) has reiterated its call for a united action against the unabated genocide being perpetrated by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in Palestine.
TheNewsZenith reports that Mr Abdul Waheed Atoyebi, the Director of MAI, made the call at a World Press Conference organised on the humanitarian crisis and starvation in Gaza, with a call to end the genocide.
According to Atoyebi, the ongoing genocide in Palestine demands urgent and united action from Muslims, Christians, Africans, and governments worldwide.
“For Muslims and Christians alike, the conflict strikes at the heart of shared religious heritage and humanitarian values.
“Both communities have historically stood in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, emphasising justice, human dignity, and peace.
“We don’t know when the massacre would end then, but, surprisingly, the senseless killings and starvation are taking too long.
“No one ever envisaged that the Zionist murderous machine, with the support of the Western powers, would be this callous. They are committing collective punishment, killing males and females, children, the vulnerable, and the elderly.
“We feel that this genocide and multiple disregard for international laws cannot continue to fester without a strong voice from Nigeria.
“The entire people of the world have condemned the Israeli genocide in Gaza,’’ TheNewsZenith quotes Atoyebi as saying.
He lamented that the people of Gaza are bleeding as killings, hunger, starvation, and denial of water, food, and drugs continue to persist.
“Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been plunged into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, characterised by widespread destruction, mass displacements, and wilful destruction of basic necessities.
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“As of Friday, Aug. 1, over 60,000 Palestinians have died, the majority of them children and women. More than 125,000 injured, according to Gaza Ministry of Health statistics,’’ the MAI director said.
He also recalled how Israeli soldiers are not sparing journalists, doctors and nurses in their atrocity.
“They have killed about 217 journalists and media workers and over 224 humanitarian aid workers. Over 1,000 people were reportedly killed in Gaza while seeking food and humanitarian aid since May 2025.
“Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have left Gaza in ruins, with reports of “carpet bombing” and “indiscriminate” attacks causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure.
“There is starvation in Gaza. The situation regarding food security is dire, with famine looming over the Strip.
“The nutrition cluster reported that between January and June 2025, at least 19,089 children aged six to 59 months were admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition, averaging over 100 children per day.
“Shortage of nutrition supplies means the situation will worsen without immediate intervention.
“Over half of Gaza’s two million Palestinians are children, all of whom lack sufficient access to food, water, or medical care.
Arab Countries Call on Hamas to Disarm
MAI also frowned at the call by some Arab countries, calling on Hamas to disarm, release all hostages and end its rule in Gaza.
“Such a position is disheartening, and it emboldens the aggressor while weakening the oppressed.
“Rather than pressuring the victims of occupation and genocide to stand down, the Arab League should demand that Israel immediately halt its relentless onslaught and end the Gaza siege.
“Recognition of Palestine’s Statehood should be rooted in the undeniable right of its people to self-determination, free from preconditions or political bargaining.
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“The UK and other nations should act decisively and unconditionally in affirming Palestine’s rightful place in the community of nations,’’ Atoyebi further said.
MAI commended the majority of the 195 member states of the United Nations, including Nigeria, for recognising Palestine as a sovereign nation.
“As of today, 147 out of 195 member-states of the UN, including Nigeria, have recognised Palestine as a sovereign nation.
“We commend them for doing that and we urge others, including the US, to do the same without any condition.
“It’s time for the world to say “YES” to Palestinian Statehood. It’s enough. The time is now, as Palestinians are human beings too.
“The humiliation of humanity in Gaza is unacceptable. Attacks on people trying to access food supplies have resulted in deaths and injuries,’’ TheNewsZenith quotes Atoyebi as saying.
Responding to a question from TheNewsZenith that, while MAI’s voice is lauder on Palestinian struggle, it has remained docile about insecurity and senseless killings in Nigeria, Atoyebi responded that the group has always shown concern and spoken about insecurity in the country.
“MAI has repeatedly spoken against insecurity and killings in parts of Nigeria. We have always provided useful suggestions to the government on the best ways to address the insecurity at home.
“Nonetheless, the kind of insecurity, dehumanisation going on in Palestine is incomparable with anywhere in the world. That is the reason why we are consistently advocating an end to the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said.
TheNewsZenith reports that MAI is the foremost Palestinian Struggle Support movement in Nigeria. (TNZ)
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