The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, has made a passionate appeal for an immediate end to the ongoing violence in Gaza, describing the humanitarian toll as deeply alarming. Speaking at the one-day World Peace Council (WPC) meeting held in Istanbul, the Sultan highlighted the growing number of civilian casualties, particularly women and children, amid worsening conditions in the war-torn region.
Citing figures from the World Health Organisation, the Sultan decried the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and stressed the urgent need for world leaders to intervene. “Too many innocent lives are being lost daily. The world cannot continue to watch in silence,” he said.
Beyond the Gaza conflict, the Sultan also called for the immediate cancellation of debts owed by low-income countries, describing the global debt crisis as a major obstacle to development and equality. He argued that lifting the financial burdens would correct long-standing economic imbalances, dismantle exploitative systems, and reduce poverty through fairer wealth distribution.
The summit drew representatives from over 60 countries and featured delegates from a wide spectrum of faiths including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Baháʼí, Judaism, and Orthodox traditions. Discussions revolved around global peace, religious harmony, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence on dignity and culture.
The gathering also addressed the impact of debt on vulnerable nations, with technocrats, religious leaders, scholars, and gender advocates contributing to the dialogue. The event concluded with a unanimously adopted nine-point resolution, urging world leaders to end the violence in Gaza and take actionable steps toward global peace and equity.
The next General Assembly of the World Peace Council is scheduled to hold in Abu Dhabi in 2030.
