Millions perform funeral prayer for martyred Hamas chief Haniyeh
4 Min Read
Millions around the world participate in funeral prayers in absentia over martyred Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
-
Hamas fighters carry mock coffins of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who was killed in an assassination in Tehran, during a symbolic funeral in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, August 2, 2024 (AP)
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip performed Friday the absentee funeral prayer (Salat al-Gha'ib) for the soul of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was martyred Wednesday.
This solemn act of remembrance was mirrored in various Palestinian cities, with tens of thousands of worshippers in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds also conducting prayers in his honor at al-Aqsa Mosque and numerous other mosques across the region.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, prayers were held for Haniyeh and other martyrs of Gaza and Palestine in cities and mosques nationwide. Notably, the Istiqlal Mosque hosted an official and diplomatic ceremony attended by a large number of people.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned Haniyeh's assassination, stating that such an act "cannot be overlooked" and urging everyone to denounce this violence and killing.
Malaysia
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim participated in the absentee prayer at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian government instructed all imams to perform the prayer for Haniyeh and the Palestinian martyrs in mosques across the country.
Furthermore, the Malaysian government called for a national rally on Sunday, inviting various social and political groups, including the opposition, to reaffirm solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemn the crimes of the occupation.
Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of parliament joined millions of Pakistanis in performing the absentee prayer for Ismail Haniyeh after Friday prayers in mosques across the country.
Sharif and Pakistani lawmakers held the prayer in the parliament building in Islamabad, which was broadcast live on state television. The Prime Minister strongly condemned Haniyeh's assassination, describing it as an attack and a breach of all norms.
The Pakistani parliament adopted a resolution condemning the assassination of the Hamas political bureau chief in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
The resolution called on the international community to take "collective action" to stop the Israeli occupation's oppression and brutality and to achieve justice for the Palestinian people. It also demanded the immediate acceptance of Palestine as a full member state of the United Nations.
Thousands offer funeral prayers in absentia for slain Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Pakistan.
— Islamabad Scene (@IslamabadScene) August 2, 2024
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and key parliamentarians offered prayers at Parliament House, whereas hundreds of people offered funeral prayers in absentia at Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque. pic.twitter.com/rOkeg64mdv
Turkey
In Turkey, a large public gathering took place as worshippers performed the absentee prayer for Haniyeh after Friday prayers.
The event saw a significant turnout, reflecting widespread solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
إقامة صلاة الغائب في #تركيا على روح شهيد الأقصى، القائد #إسماعيل_هنية في تركيا.#الميادين #إسماعيل_هنية_شهيداً pic.twitter.com/z9NR36Xpee
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) August 2, 2024
Yemen
In Yemen, people held the absentee prayer for Ismail Haniyeh and the martyrs of resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq.
These prayers were conducted in mosques across the capital, Sanaa, and various other Yemeni provinces.
محافظة تعز تخرج للوداع الأخيرة.
— أحمد عايض Ahmed Al-qutaibi (@Ahmedayed300) August 2, 2024
صلاة الغائب على روح القائد #إسماعيل_هنية في شارع التحرير بمدينه #تعز. pic.twitter.com/l56KqovHBd
Lebanon
In Lebanon, thousands of worshippers across Lebanese cities performed the absentee prayer for Haniyeh on Friday.
In Beirut, a symbolic funeral procession was held for Haniyeh and his companion, Wasim Abu Shaban, amidst an atmosphere of sorrow and anger.
The procession in Tariq al-Jadida saw a large turnout of popular, political, and religious figures.
These prayers coincided with a service held at the Mohammed Bin Abdul Wahab Mosque in Doha, Qatar, where Haniyeh was buried in Lusail, attended by a vast official and popular presence.
During the funeral procession, Khalil al-Hayya, deputy head of Hamas, delivered a speech emphasizing that Haniyeh's martyrdom would further the unity of the Islamic World and the Resistance in the struggle for the liberation of Palestine.
The assassination occurred during Haniyeh's visit to Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, following a meeting with Sayyed Khamenei.
