Amidst the intense armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement which controls Gaza, a video from the last year from the Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, has gone viral, in which a prominent Palestinian Muslim cleric, Nidhal Siam, can be seen calling for a genocide of the Hindu community. It is the same Al Aqsa Mosque ‘in defence’ of which the Hamas launched the surprise attack on Israel on October 7, as per Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
Both the Jews and the Muslims lay claim on the land on which the Al Aqsa Mosque stands, and while the Jews consider it to be their holiest site, claiming it is the place of two ancient temples which were destroyed; the Muslims believe it is the site from where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, and it is considered the third holiest site in their religious community.
The viral video was initially uploaded on the YouTube channel called ‘Al-Aqsa Call’ on 10 June, 2022, and the speech was made by Nidhal Siam amidst massive protests from the Muslim community, against BJP’s former spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, following her comments on Prophet Muhammad.
At the start of the video, Sheikh Nidhal Siam can be heard raising a slogan, which is then repeated by the Muslims participating in the protest gathering, ‘Hindus, you filthy Hindus, Muhammad is the master of all people.’
Addressing the protestors, Siam said, ‘Oh Muslims, do you see the infidels’ successive affronts and hostilities towards the messengers of Allah? We barely got clear of France’s affronts, when we had to encounter the affronts by the Hindus, those cow-worshippers. These affronts are nothing less than a war against Islam and Muslims.’
He further said, ‘The infidels take turns in waging this war against the Muslims. First, it was America with its aggression against Iraq and Afghanistan, then came Sweden with its kidnapping of Muslim children. France attacked once, the Russians multiple times, then there is China with its crimes; and now, the Hindu cow-worshippers, who have destroyed mosques, killed Muslims, and destroyed their villages. Now, they slander the master of mankind, peace be upon him.’
‘The one and only reaction to such a thing is to declare Jihad for the sake of Allah, and to open up battlefronts for fighting, so that the army can have its say, by disciplining the Kafirs (infidels) and polytheists, and by eradicating them. As for you, oh people of Pakistan, you have a greater duty than others in fighting the Hindus. They are right there on your border, occupying parts of your land, and killing your people. You have a great army that is capable of disciplining the Hindus, making them forget the whispers of Satan.’, remarked Sheikh Nidhal Siam, while suggesting Pakistan how to wage war against Hindus in India.
