The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza after more than a year of relentless violence and suffering. Today, we witnessed a moment of cautious relief. While this pause in aggression is welcomed and should be celebrated, it comes much later than any of us would have hoped and cannot undo the catastrophic loss of over 186,000 innocent lives—families, men, women, and children. The deep scars left on Gaza, the West Bank, and the global Muslim community are far from healed, and the people of Palestine continue to endure under brutal and unlawful occupation.
This ceasefire is a temporary reprieve, not a resolution. It offers some relief to the oppressed people of Gaza, but it does not erase the need for justice, equality, and a lasting peace in Palestine and the wider region. The struggle for justice is far from over. We cannot forget that this moment of hope is the result of the tireless efforts of global movements, especially the bravery of students, who have advocated for the rights and humanity of Palestinians from the very start. Their activism, particularly through protests, campaigns, and unwavering advocacy, has been instrumental in shaping public opinion and placing pressure on those in power.
We are reminded of our responsibility as Muslim students and as members of a global community to continue this work. Our commitment to justice and human rights extends beyond raising awareness; we must hold institutions accountable, challenge the silence and inaction of global powers, and persist in our advocacy for the oppressed. The fight for justice requires a continued call for the end of apartheid, for our governments to halt arms contracts with Israel, and for our institutions to sever ties with those complicit in the genocide.
Today, while we acknowledge the significance of this ceasefire, we must reaffirm that it is only the beginning of a much larger journey. FOSIS calls on all Muslim students and ISocs to remain steadfast in their activism. Let this ceasefire not mark the end of our efforts but strengthen our collective resolve to continue standing for justice, truth, and humanity. Our generation will not forget.
We call for the complete dismantling of the systems of oppression and for meaningful change that guarantees the right to self-determination, security, and peace for the Palestinian people. This moment should strengthen our collective resolve to continue standing for truth, justice, and humanity.
As we offer our prayers for the people of Gaza and the wider Palestinian diaspora, we also recognize the strength and unity of the Ummah, particularly the efforts of Muslim students in the UK and Ireland. We thank Allah for inspiring students across campuses to stand in solidarity through protests, campaigns, and unwavering advocacy. We make sincere du’a that this unity strengthens and leads to meaningful change.
May Allah grant ease to the people of Gaza, inspire us to remain steadfast in our activism, and guide us all toward meaningful change. Our commitment to this cause will not falter, for justice demands that we stand firm until the rights of the oppressed are realized and peace is restored.
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies reiterates its call of action:
- Demand that universities issue a statement condemning the genocide in Gaza and to adopt clear ethical investment policies by submitting motions to your students’ unions.
- Appoint a Student Affair Representative within your ISoc.
- Organise with other student groups and campuses in joining the global student movement calling for a ceasefire and the disclosure and divestment of university funds in Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
- Lobby student unions on preserving freedom of speech, particularly conflating anti-zionism with anti-semitism.
- Work with student leaders to propose strong motions of condemning the genocide and adopting policies reflected within the BDS movement.
- Support our Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters standing against genocide in their noble efforts and call out all forms of religious hatred.
- Organise events and activities to educate and raise awareness of the Palestinian cause for campus wide audiences.
- Organise talks and Friday Prayers in open spaces, with dedicated sermons on this topic.
- Demand universities pledge to support the rebuilding of educational infrastructures in Palestine, as well as investing in Palestinian students in the form of research partnerships, exchange students, sponsorships and scholarships.
- Encourage members to partake in boycott and the BDS movement
- Encourage student members to write to their local councilors to ensure their local councils are adopting ethical investment and procurement policies and are adopting BDS policies.
- Continue with acts of fundraising, charity and prayer as a daily act of ensuring spiritual wellbeing of Muslim students.
- Encourage students to write to their local MP, as well as any political party they may be inclined to engage with, demanding more efforts to enable a ceasefire and halting all arms sales to Israel.
- Organise trips and encourage students to visit Palestine. If there’s one request Palestinians have, it is to visit them. It is predominantly safe for western passport holders. It is a truly blessed land.
