The dual impacts of Al-Dayah’s cry

Last Friday, I, like many others, was surprised by the statement issued by Salman Al-Dayah, the former dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Islamic University of Gaza.

Two key reasons encapsulate my surprise — each rooted in distinct yet interconnected factors. The first relates to the man himself: his profound stature in both the scientific and societal spheres, coupled with his reputation for self-reliance, as attested by those who know him well. For anyone familiar with Al-Dayah personally, such qualities are hardly surprising.

The second reason centers on a pressing question: Why did such a distinguished scholar wait so long to raise a call of such critical importance? This question lingered in my mind immediately after reading the BBC Arabic report by its diligent correspondent, Rushdi Abualouf, who has long demonstrated resilience in his reporting from Gaza.

The report, titled “Gaza’s top Islamic scholar issues fatwa criticizing 7 October attack,” immediately drew my attention, particularly the use of the term “fatwa,” While I am not qualified to assess its religious significance, as this is outside my expertise, I saw Al-Dayah’s statement as a long-overdue call to action. Paradoxically, it was this very timeliness — or lack thereof — that became a focal point of criticism.

In this context, many do not challenge Al-Dayah’s — or anyone else’s — right to voice an opinion opposing the Al-Aqsa Flood attack. Rather, their criticism is directed at the timing of his statement, not at his right to hold or express a differing perspective.

Members of this movement argue that Al-Dayah’s words risk exacerbating divisions among Palestinians. More critically, they warn of the potential for further fragmentation within the Gaza Strip itself, particularly among those who remain in the area but have been forced to seek refuge in tents after being displaced from the north to the south.

Building on this point, one proponent of this view expressed concern that Al-Dayah’s statement could sow division even among family members sharing the same tent. This remark prompted me to reflect on the difference between questioning why such an important opinion took so long to be expressed and asserting that the timing of its release now is entirely inappropriate.

While I am not qualified to assess its religious significance, I saw Al-Dayah’s statement as a long-overdue call to action.

Bakir Oweida

So, when is the right time to tell the leaders of the Hamas movement — both political and military — that their actions have torn apart hundreds of thousands of families? Whether among those who remain in Gaza or those forced to flee, families have been scattered, homes reduced to rubble and livelihoods destroyed. The likely answer is that such a moment lies in the realm of the unknown, beyond what human foresight can determine.

This issue requires deeper examination, which must be postponed to another time. However, Al-Dayah’s plea — rooted in the vital principles of Islamic jurisprudence that advocate for the pursuit of struggle without causing harm to people or civilization — is undeniably worthy of both attention and respect, even if it comes far later than it should have.

• Bakir Oweida is a Palestinian journalist who pursued a professional career in journalism in Libya in 1968, where he worked at Al-Haqiqa newspaper in Benghazi, then Al-Balagh and Al-Jihad in Tripoli. He has written for several Arab publications in Britain since 1978. He worked at Al-Arab newspaper, Al-Thadamun magazine and the international Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. He has also worked as a consultant at the online newspaper Elaph. This article first appeared in Asharq Al-Awsat.