(MENAFN) During the fourth Critical Muslim Studies conference in Istanbul, titled Reorienting Resistance, British scholar Salman Sayyid from the University of Leeds emphasized that the issue of Palestine symbolizes a broader demand for enhanced global justice.

Speaking with a news agency, Sayyid underscored that the gathering brought together intellectuals and researchers from different parts of the globe to critically engage with current issues.

Sayyid highlighted that the main goal of the conference was to re-evaluate the frameworks through which knowledge about Islam and Muslim communities is generated, especially considering the present international environment.

He asserted that the unfolding events in Palestine expose the limitations of Muslim populations in shaping global dynamics or even affecting their domestic administrations.

According to Sayyid, the lack of sufficient power among Muslims to react effectively raises pressing concerns about political authority and reveals the shortcomings of the liberal international framework in serving Muslim interests.

“If we cannot protect people suffering live on our TVs from the horrors, then the international order itself needs to be rethought in a way that Palestinian people are facing the last Western colonial settler state,” he remarked.

He further noted that the Palestinian cause has struck a chord worldwide, with increasing backing from international communities, including decisions by Latin American nations to sever diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.

Sayyid remarked that the idea of resistance has been sidelined in both Western scholarly discussions and media narratives since the Cold War era, and the assumption that liberalism guarantees equal treatment has consistently failed to address systemic inequities.

Concluding his remarks, Sayyid emphasized that events like this conference are crucial for moving beyond narrow national viewpoints.

By connecting academics and attendees from various regions, such initiatives reveal that many of today’s challenges—as well as solutions—are inherently international in scope.

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