ISTANBUL: The Raja Permaisuri Agong has joined the growing international call for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that countries must collectively call for the immediate end of hostilities there.
Speaking at the United for Peace in Palestine summit here today, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah appealed to world leaders to pressure for an end to the madness.
Tunku Azizah said hundreds of thousands of people were urging their governments to support the ceasefire.
"These people come from all walks of life, practise different religions, and speak different languages – but they speak with one voice: To call for peace, to live in harmony and to respect each other.
"I stand here not only as a Queen, but as a mother, with my own children who I love dearly. I stand here as a human being and we must use our voice to say "Stop, enough is enough"!" she said at the summit initiated by the First Lady of Turkiye Emine Erdogan and attended by the spouses of the heads of state and government and representatives of countries.
Tunku Azizah said she could no longer stay silent at the gross violation of human rights in Gaza, and expressed her worry for the Gazan people, for the safety of children and for humanity.
A ceasefire would enable humanitarian organisations to send important supplies and for local groups on the ground to provide emergency services.
"Most of all, we need this to save the dignity of people who are deeply suffering. We must insist on the end of the siege. We must call for the permanent opening of the humanitarian corridor to Gaza so they can receive vital help and start to rebuild their lives," she added.
Tunku Azizah said every country facing war, hardship and conflict right now deserved to live in peace.
"I speak for every one of them and as a Muslim, I want to remind you that it is our duty as human beings to demand an end to all hostilities. As it has been said, 'War brings pain, not gain. Let's choose peace to prosper'.
"Let us be on the right side of history so when our future generations look back on us, they will be proud of what we did – successfully calling for a ceasefire, supporting humanity and standing together for peace.
"Let that be our legacy. Let us all unite for peace in Palestine," she said.
The United for Peace in Palestine summit is held to to draw the attention of the international community to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to call for an end to the tragedy endured by civilians, especially children, women, the patients and the disabled, for the establishment of a just and lasting peace, and to mobilise the international community to take action against these atrocities which may amount to crime against humanity.
At the summit held at Dolmabahce Palace, the spouses of the heads of state and government and representatives of countries were given 10 minutes to deliver their statements.
The First Ladies Declaration at the end of the summit called on the entire world to take immediate and collective action to stop the ongoing massacres in Gaza.
They collectively called for an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks targeting all civilian settlements in Gaza, including schools, hospitals and other medical facilities, refugee camps, United Nations facilities and places of worship.
In this regard, the urgent ceasefire will end the hostilities and the provision of unhindered, sufficient and safe humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
They firmly reject any attempts to displace the Palestinian civilian population, emphasising the grave impact of displacement under the current circumstances of conflict on women, children and elderly.
They also called for immediate and full compliance by all parties with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.