Massoud Shadjareh Chair Islamic Human Rights Commission

Al-Quds Day, established by the late Ayatollah Khomeini, serves as a Global Day of Solidarity with Palestinians, highlighting the ongoing illegal occupation and apartheid imposed by Israel. Massoud Shadjareh, Chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission in London, emphasizes that Al-Quds Day is not just a response to the atrocities faced by Palestinians, but a call to address the root causes of the conflict—systemic oppression and occupation. It plays a vital role in raising awareness, particularly in Europe and the West, urging the world to stand against genocide and support the Palestinian struggle for justice and liberation.

1-What do you think about Israel’s war against the people of Gaza?

Undoubtedly this is the most brutal horrifying genocide, which, for the first time, is being broadcast and streamed live on our phones via social media and on our TV screens that leaves no room to claim we don’t know it’s happening

2-In your opinion, how much the British and the general public of the world have become concerned about the Palestinian issue after October 7th, and how much it has made people aware of the reality of the situation and the state of Israel?

It is a culmination of the unbelievable brutality of this genocide and its broadcasting that has awakened people across the globe. This is why between 70 to 90 per cent of people around the world, including western nations, are demanding an end to genocide. It is astonishing that despite pressure from the masses and public opinion those who claim to be champions of democracy are not just ignoring this demand of the public but continue to finance a genocide by providing weapons and political support.

3-How much do you know about Quds Day, and what role do you think Quds Day has played in raising awareness among the audience in European societies, and especially in Britain?

Al Quds Day has been the first international day designated to supporting the Palestinians by the late Ayatollah Khomeini and it has been systematic in recognizing that the reason is the wholesale illegal occupation and apartheid by Israel and until this is removed, Palestinians will not be free. Indeed, as Nelson Mandela stated, “Our freedom is not complete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” Al Quds day is different because it is not organized merely as a response per se to genocide and genocidal acts, but is the recognition that the wholesale illegal occupation could only lead to genocide and genocidal acts and ethnic cleansing, which needs to be challenged at all times, not just as a result of the momentum at the height of an atrocity at any given time.

4-About the Palestinian issue.  If you are to make a wish for the Palestinian people, what would it be?

I think as people of conscience and hindsight we should recognize what is at stake in Palestine is not just the brutality against Palestinians but the legitimization and genocide as well as the normalization of genocide, which if it is not challenged will continue to be repeated to engulf future humanity. I pray for the Palestinians to be free and I pray for non-Palestinians to awaken and fight against this injustice and this genocide before it engulfs the whole of humanity.