by Khaled Abu Toameh
Undoubtedly, there are some Muslims who are in favor of these kinds of visits and interfaith dialogue, but they either prefer to remain neutral or are afraid to voice their opinions in public.
"You [Israelis] represent the world of brotherhood, the world of humanity, the world of affection, the world of democracy, the world of freedom." — Hassen Chalghoumi, imam from France and head of the visiting delegation, at a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, July 7, 2025.
When Muslims say they support the Palestinian "resistance," they are actually voicing support for terrorism and Hamas's October 7 atrocities against Israelis and others.
Undoubtedly, there are some Muslims who are in favor of these kinds of visits and interfaith dialogue, but they either prefer to remain neutral or are afraid to voice their opinions in public. Muslims should applaud, not condemn, Muslim leaders who reach out to Israel and Jews and speak out against Islamist terror groups, for their own future: they can choose, instead of a life of fear a life of freedom, prosperity and opportunity.
A group of brave Islamic religious leaders from France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy and Britain who are visiting Israel this week are being condemned and ridiculed by many Muslims. The leaders are being accused of "treason" and promoting "normalization" with Israel.
The Muslim leaders did not come to Israel to stand against Muslims or the Palestinians. Rather, they came with a message of peace, coexistence and tolerance. They came to Israel out of a belief that interfaith dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims is imperative. Interfaith dialogue, which promotes peace and harmony, is important because it allows people to learn about different religions and cultures, and to appreciate the similarities and differences between them.
These Islamic leaders are heroes because they chose to visit Israel at a time when many Muslims, especially those living in Europe, are waging a massive smear campaign against Israel because of its war against the Iran-backed Hamas Islamist terror group in the Gaza Strip. Muslims who care about their religion should stand up against Islamist terrorists who have hijacked their religion and are committing atrocities in the name of Islam.
The war began after Hamas and thousands of "ordinary" Palestinians invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, murdering 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and injuring thousands more. Another 251 Israelis and foreign nationals were kidnapped and dragged to the Gaza Strip, where 50 (20 of whom are believed to be alive) remain in captivity.
Hassen Chalghoumi, an imam from France and head of the delegation visiting Israel, said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog:
"You [Israelis] represent the world of brotherhood, the world of humanity, their world of affection, the world of democracy, the world of freedom."
While the visit of the Muslim leaders to Israel shows that moderate Muslim leaders can play a positive and constructive role in promoting peace and harmony, it also serves as a reminder that a large number of Muslims continue to support extremism and violence and do not recognize Israel's right to exist.
Fadel Soliman, a Muslim Quran translator and author with more than half a million followers on X, commented:
"Today, the president of Israel met in the occupied city of Jerusalem with a delegation of misguided imams and the vilest of God's creation... Anyone who sees them would spit on them, for they are more despicable than prostitutes who sell their honor on street corners."
Lebanese businessman Rida Saad described the imams as "spies, sons of dogs, traitors and whores."
Social media influencer Dr. Abdelaziz Ragab, who lives in Italy, wrote on X:
"Bastards who sold their faith and betrayed their nation! They said: 'We came with a message of love, and you (Israel) represent the world of humanity!' What betrayal and degradation could be greater than this?"
Former Egyptian member of parliament Mohammed Emad Saber issued a statement denouncing the Muslim leaders' visit to Israel as "a clear violation of God's law and the consensus of the [Islamic] nation." He added:
"This was a blatant act of normalization, a horrific moral fall, a brazen challenge to the sentiments of the Islamic nation, and a clear stab in the back of the blessed [Hamas] resistance...
"The meeting of these individuals with the criminal Zionist president of a betrayal of Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, and a clear violation of the rulings of Islamic Sharia, which forbids allegiance to the enemies of Allah. Allah Almighty says: 'O believers! Take neither the Jews or Christians as guardians – they are guardians of each other. Whoever does so will be counted as one of them. Surely, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.' [Al-Maida 51]...
"[W]e declare that these individuals have lost their religious and moral legitimacy to perform the role of imams and preachers. Their prayers with the people are morally void. Muslims, especially in Europe, must boycott them, expose them, and refrain from praying behind them until they publicly repent to Allah and atone for their actions.
We call on Islamic institutions in Europe, Sharia councils, and advocacy groups to issue clear statements of condemnation, remove their names from lists of scholars and preachers, and refrain from hosting then on any media or religious platforms."
The Union of Scholars at Al-Azhar University in Egypt condemned the visit of the Muslim leaders to Israel as a "disgraceful normalization unrelated to Islam and human dignity." The union said the visit represents a "treacherous stab to the [Islamic] nation and an unforgettable disgrace, as well as a violation of the rules of Sharia and the blood of the martyrs. We strongly reject any form of normalization with the Zionist entity and express our full support for the Palestinian people and their honorable resistance."
When Muslims say they support the Palestinian "resistance," they are actually voicing support for terrorism and Hamas's October 7 atrocities against Israelis and others. Notably, Hamas murdered 23 Arab Muslims on October 7. So those who have come out against the visit of the Muslim leaders to Israel are also saying that they support the murder of innocent Muslim civilians living in Israel.
Sadly, it is hard to find Muslims who have positive things to say about the visit of these Muslim leaders to Israel. Undoubtedly, there are some Muslims who are in favor of these kinds of visits and interfaith dialogue, but they either prefer to remain neutral or are afraid to voice their opinions in public. Muslims should applaud, not condemn, Muslim leaders who reach out to Israel and Jews and speak out against Islamist terror groups, for their own future: they can choose, instead of a life of fear a life of freedom, prosperity and opportunity.
- Follow Khaled Abu Toameh on X (formerly Twitter)
Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21735/muslim-leaders-who-oppose-terrorism
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