Islamic Scholar Calls Gaza-Israel War An Example of Faith against 'Unbelievers'
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian scholar described the Gaza-Israel war as a confrontation between Islam and non-believers, urging Muslims worldwide to support the resistance front.
Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi, speaking at a Quran interpretation meeting in the Imam Reza (AS) holy shrine in Mashhad, northeast Iran, characterized the ongoing Gaza-Israel war as a clash between Islamic values and disbelief. He emphasized the Quranic perspective on life's trials, asserting that "God tests each person to reveal their true faith during hardships."
Azghadi elaborated on his view that an “arrogant front” is waging war against Islam, naming Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon as battlegrounds for the Islamic world. “It is the duty of all Muslims to support the resistance front,” he said. According to Azghadi, Quranic teachings obligate Muslims to defend Islamic lands against invasion, and indifference is religiously forbidden.
He concluded by asserting that while self-defense is crucial, defending Islamic values and truth takes precedence. “Muslims must stand with the Islamic front when it faces unbelievers,” he told the audience of Razavi pilgrims.
In a related discussion, Soheil Kasirinejad, an expert in Judaism and Zionism studies, analyzed the impact of the recent Al-Aqsa Storm operation against Israel. Speaking at a religious Q&A at the holy shrine, he said the operation had "thrown Israel back 70 years," calling it a pivotal moment for Palestinians.
Kasirinejad refuted claims that Gaza residents were better off before October 7, 2023, citing long-standing hardships. “Gaza’s people faced extensive restrictions on land and sea,” he said, adding that healthcare access was limited, often requiring five-hour waits.
Kasirinejad further argued that since 2022, Israel’s new administration has intensified negative policies toward Palestinians, notably under the national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He expressed concern about the risk to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rising normalization of Arab-Israeli relations.
Reflecting on the Al-Aqsa Storm operation, Kasirinejad stated, “In an era when Palestinian voices went unheard globally, resistance leaders have opened a new chapter in the region's history.”