Al-Quds Day: A Day of Mobilization and Defiance Against Global Arrogance

During the sacred month of Ramadan, Imam Ruhollah Khomeini (may Allah have mercy on him), the great leader from the noble lineage of the Prophet’s household, proposed that the last Friday of Ramadan be designated as al-Quds Day. This initiative, announced on August 15, 1979 (20 Ramadan 1399 AH), called on Muslims worldwide to commemorate this day by raising awareness, preparing themselves for confrontation against the enemies of Islam, and reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian cause.

In his statement, Imam Khomeini urged all Muslims across the globe to unite against the usurper entity and its allies, referring to to the Israeli entity, and to use the last Friday of Ramadan—one of the most spiritually significant days of the holy month—to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people:

“I call on all Muslims across the world and in Islamic nations to unite in order to sever the hand of this usurper and its supporters—meaning the Zionist enemy. I urge all Muslims to declare the last Friday of Ramadan, which falls within the Nights of Decree and can play a crucial role in determining the fate of the Palestinian people, as al-Quds Day. On this day, Muslims of all sects should come together in defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian Muslim people.”

The Significance of Al-Quds Day

The importance of al-Quds Day stems from the significance of the Palestinian cause itself—a cause that touches upon the dignity of the Muslim Ummah, its sacred sites, its rights, and the honor of its people.

• A Unifying Occasion: al-Quds Day serves as a rallying point for the entire Islamic world against its most dangerous enemies.

• A Necessity for Resistance: It ensures that enmity toward the enemies of Allah remains alive in the hearts of Muslims, countering the relentless efforts to suppress and redirect this hostility toward internal disputes within the Islamic and Arab world.

• An Answer to the Call of a Great Leader: Reviving this day comes in response to the call of a great figure—one of the prominent leaders of this Ummah, whom Allah has commanded us to follow and take as an example. It is a day dedicated to fostering awareness, mobilizing the Ummah, and preparing it for confrontation with its enemies.

• A Reminder of Palestinian Suffering: al-Quds Day keeps the oppression of the Palestinian people in the global conscience.

• Exposing Zionist Aggression: It is a global occasion to reveal the true nature of Zionist ambitions and their hostility toward all of humanity.

• A Day of Mobilization Against Global Tyranny: This day is an opportunity for the oppressed to rise against oppression—not just in Palestine, but across the world—breaking the chains of subjugation and stepping into the light of freedom.

• A Path to Liberation: It reinforces the correct vision for the salvation of the Ummah, making its observance an act of worship and a form of jihad in the path of Allah. It is a testament to the awareness of the Ummah, its recognition of its true enemy, and its engagement with its existential struggles.

• A Message to the Enemy: The observance of al-Quds Day sends a clear message: we will never abandon a single inch of our land or sacred sites. The revival of this day, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan, which are blessed and full of divine grace, may mark the beginning of the Ummah’s march toward its liberation.

The Palestinian Cause and the Efforts to Liquidate It

History will never forget the treachery of certain Arab regimes—especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia—who have normalized ties with the Zionist entity, submitted to American and Western imperialism, and provided unlimited support to these oppressive forces. These regimes have abandoned even the smallest responsibility toward Palestine and have actively participated in efforts to erase the Palestinian cause. Their betrayal is evident in the following ways:

1. Criminalizing Resistance Movements: They have worked to demonize and criminalize Palestinian resistance groups and Hezbollah, labeling them as “terrorist organizations” while attempting to impose humiliating “peace deals” on the Palestinian people.

2. Suppressing Free Voices: Any individual or movement within the Ummah that opposes the Israeli enemy or resists American hegemony is relentlessly targeted. This is best exemplified by the brutal wars and aggression waged by these regimes against free nations—foremost among them, the proud Yemeni people.

3. Erasing Awareness and Mobilization: There has been a deliberate effort to prevent the Ummah from being educated about the threat posed by the Israeli enemy and America in all aspects—culturally, intellectually, and through the media. Even worse, these regimes have redirected mobilization efforts to serve Israeli interests, advocating normalization and cooperation.

4. Sowing Internal Conflicts: They have actively worked to turn Muslim nations against one another, inciting hostility against Yemenis, Iranians, Lebanese resistance groups, and all free movements in Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, and beyond.

5. Squandering the Wealth of the Ummah: Instead of supporting the oppressed, these regimes have shamefully funneled their resources to imperialist powers. The Saudi regime, for example, bowed disgracefully before Donald Trump’s demands, handing over a trillion dollars to the American war machine, while the people of Gaza suffer without food, shelter, or medical care.

Even in the midst of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, these treacherous regimes have openly supported the Israeli enemy, tightening the blockade on Gaza, and preventing even funeral shrouds from reaching the city while children and women are torn apart by American, Western, and Israeli bombs.

How the Enemy Succeeded in Controlling Palestine

Several key factors contributed to the Zionist entity’s ability to seize Palestine:

1. Zionist Dedication & Western Sponsorship: The Zionist Jewish movement worked tirelessly, with British and American backing, to take full control over Palestine.

2. Arab Regime Betrayal: The failure of Arab governments to stand firm allowed the Palestinian cause to be diluted, with only a few limited movements resisting, none of which were enough to match the gravity of the threat.

3. Lack of Awareness: Decades of deception have numbed the Ummah to the global conspiracy against its lands and people, facilitated by corrupt scholars and hypocritical rulers who promote normalization under false religious, political, and economic pretexts.

4. Absence of Responsibility: Many within the Muslim world, especially younger generations, feel disconnected from the Palestinian cause due to a loss of hope and the lack of a clear vision for liberation.

A Glimpse into Palestine’s History

Since 1922, when the League of Nations formally placed Palestine under British mandate, the groundwork was laid for Jewish settlement. Britain appointed Zionist leaders, funded Jewish migration, disarmed Palestinians, and crushed uprisings. By 1947, the UN allocated 56% of Palestine to Jewish settlers, despite Palestinians being the overwhelming majority.

The 1948 Nakba resulted in the Israeli occupation controlling 78% of Palestine, the expulsion of 60% of Palestinians, and the mass destruction of Palestinian villages.

Subsequent wars—including the 1967 War, the 1973 October War, and the betrayal of Camp David (1978)—further cemented the Zionist expansion. By the 2000s, Palestinian resistance had evolved, with the al-Aqsa Intifada marking a turning point in armed struggle.

The Struggle Continues

From the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which the Zionist enemy rejected, to Trump’s 2017 “Deal of the Century”, every so-called “peace process” has been designed to erase Palestine. Today, as Gaza faces genocide, the Israeli enemy attempts to force Palestinians into permanent exile—a crime of historic proportions.

But the resistance remains unbroken. The observance of al-Quds Day stands as a testament that the Ummah will never surrender its lands, its dignity, or its sacred sites. Victory is inevitable.