Why the West Asia remains silent on Gaza: A betrayal of collective Islamic conscience?

The suffering in Gaza is not new. For decades, Palestinians—especially children, women, and families—have borne the brunt of one of the most enduring and brutal conflicts in modern history. Images of bombed-out homes, bloodied children, and grieving families have flooded the media time and again, and yet the global conscience remains selectively active. While Western nations have increasingly begun to witness protests and outcries from their citizens demanding justice and an end to the Israeli occupation and aggression, a peculiar silence seems to hover over the Arab world, particularly the Middle East. Why?

This silence is deeply disturbing. Not just because of the horrors of war being endured by Palestinians, but because this silence comes from the very region that shares religious, historical, and cultural ties with the people of Gaza. Even more perplexing is the absence of a united and forceful stance from the Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East, who are geographically and spiritually closest to Palestine.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the moral and spiritual duty enshrined in the Quran, particularly in Surah An-Nisa (4:75): "And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?'"

This verse is not ambiguous. It calls upon Muslims to stand up against oppression and injustice, particularly when it concerns the weak and vulnerable. It is not merely a call to arms in the physical sense but a reminder that standing for justice is a core Islamic value, deeply rooted in the Quranic tradition.

So why then, has the collective conscience of the Middle East governments failed to translate this duty into coordinated action or even vocal and sustained diplomatic resistance?

The Real Reason Behind the Silence

The truth is hard to swallow, but it must be said: while the streets of Middle Eastern cities are filled with people who empathize with the plight of Palestinians, the governments that rule over them are often disconnected, authoritarian, and fearful—fearful of losing power, fearful of their Western alliances, and most of all, fearful of challenging the United States and its policies in the region.

Unlike in democratic settings such as Malaysia, where the government has openly expressed its opposition to Israeli atrocities and has taken diplomatic steps to voice the concerns of its citizens, many Middle Eastern regimes are structurally designed to suppress the will of their people. Public protest, freedom of speech, and media independence are often non-existent or heavily restricted in these countries. As a result, what we witness is a dichotomy between the will of the people and the actions of the elites.

The common Muslim in Cairo, Amman, Riyadh, or Abu Dhabi is just as enraged by the suffering of Palestinians as someone in Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta. But the people are often not permitted to speak, let alone protest or organize support. Governments in these regions have deeply entrenched themselves in positions of privilege, often backed by military or monarchical structures, and they guard their relationships with Western powers—especially the United States—as lifelines for political survival and economic stability.

Strategic Silence for Self-Preservation

The silence of Middle Eastern governments on Gaza is therefore not due to theological confusion or lack of religious motivation. It is a calculated political stance designed to preserve their regimes. Openly opposing Israel, and by extension the United States, carries real risks for these leaders. Economic sanctions, military retaliation, political isolation, or even regime change are not far-fetched possibilities in the brutal world of realpolitik. Hence, many choose a path of strategic silence or, at best, symbolic gestures that do little to change the reality on the ground.

The betrayal here is not just of the Palestinians, but of the Islamic values these governments claim to uphold. Islam, unlike these regimes, does not shy away from injustice. It does not teach neutrality in the face of oppression. On the contrary, silence in the face of injustice is seen as a moral failing in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)

How many of the rulers in the Middle East even exhibit this "weakest of faith"?

The Role of Malaysia and Other Voices In contrast, countries like Malaysia have demonstrated that it is possible for governments to reflect the voice of their people. Malaysia has consistently spoken out against the atrocities in Gaza, taken diplomatic stances, and advocated for Palestinian rights at international forums. While Malaysia may not have the geopolitical weight of larger Arab nations, it has shown moral leadership that is sadly missing among many of its Middle Eastern counterparts.

What makes Malaysia’s stance even more commendable is that it does not directly share borders with Palestine, nor does it have the same historical and geographical ties that many Arab nations do. Yet, it upholds a principle that should have united the Arab world long ago: justice for the oppressed.

Moving Forward: A Call for Unity and Conscience

The time has come for the Muslim world—especially the Middle East—to confront this internal hypocrisy. It is not enough to leave the cause of Palestine to a few NGOs, activists, or select countries. If Islam is to remain a living faith that stands for justice, then Muslims must push their leaders, scholars, and institutions to live up to its teachings.

The people of Gaza do not need hollow slogans or selective humanitarian aid. They need solidarity, political courage, and united pressure on Israel to end the siege and occupation. They need the Muslim world—especially those closest to them—to rise above fear and convenience, and to finally act.

Until then, the children of Gaza will continue to suffer, not only under bombs and blockades, but under the unbearable weight of silence from their own brothers and sisters in faith.

And that, perhaps, is the greatest betrayal of all.

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* Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is a lawyer

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.