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Arabs and Kurds

January 14, 2026

We publish this word because of what we see of some brothers being affected by events such that it stirred nationalistic tendencies in them, and many of them are far from the scene of events, but they were misled by media whose habit is to seek to create division and strip an authentic Sunni Muslim component from the body of the Ummah. Every call for division between Muslims on any basis whatsoever is a call of ignorance (Jahiliyyah).

Introduction: The Unity of the Islamic Identity

Peace be upon you and the mercy of God. Allah the Almighty says: {And indeed, this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.} (Quran 21:92)

We have one identity, which is Islam; there is no superiority for an Arab over a Kurd, nor for a Kurd over an Arab, except through piety. The pious are from among us, and we are from among them, whether they are Kurds, Arabs, or others. The pious are those who prioritize the identity of Islam above all other identities and refer to the Sharia of Allah the Almighty, not to man-made laws or national customs.

These pious individuals are abundant among the Kurds and the Arabs. I have visited Kurdistan and found brothers and loved ones there. I testify that they are among the best, most beloved, and purest people I have known—in my estimation, and Allah is their Reckoner. The pious are those who have no allegiance, neither to America nor to Israel, nor do they execute the agendas of anyone. Their slogan is the word of their Lord, the Almighty: {If you disagree in anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you indeed believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most suitable for final determination.} (Quran 4:59)

Warning Against Instigators of Sedition and Nationalist Sentiments

As for the instigators of sedition, we disassociate ourselves from them, whether they are Arabs or Kurds. I say this as events have surpassed the borders of Syria, and some malicious individuals have begun exploiting them to revive nationalist sentiments and sow discord between two Muslim components. This call of ignorance—whether its proponents know it or not—executes the agendas of the enemies of Muslims, who are eager to fragment the already fragmented and divide the already divided.

Unfortunately, some good people have been swept along with this, without distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked. Our Prophet ﷺ said: "The greatest of people in sin is a poet who defames a tribe, and a man who disowns his father." This is for those who defame a tribe, so how about those who defame a race among the races that include millions of Muslims?

The Role of Scholars and Preachers in Quelling Sedition

We call upon our brothers, the scholars and preachers, Arabs and Kurds, to fulfill their duty entrusted to them by Allah: to guide people back to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ. The scholars are the guardians of the nation; through them, Allah preserves the nation from straying and being lost. It is not befitting for a scholar or preacher—regardless of their ethnicity—to be swayed by malicious media that sows sedition. The scholars' slogan is the word of Allah the Almighty: {O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.} (Quran 4:135), and His saying: {O you who have believed, if there comes to you a rebellious one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and then be remorseful for what you have done.} (Quran 49:6)

O scholars and preachers, do not let yourselves be moved by the inflammatory emotions of the sedition instigators. Rather, you are the ones who should steady others. Otherwise, what is the use of being scholars and preachers? It is not a flaw to feel some sympathy in your heart for those who share your language, ethnicity, or history with you. However, if you see corruption in the cause they advocate and support, and subservience to the projects of the enemies of the nation, then you must distance yourselves from them, expose them, and reveal their true nature: they are instigators of sedition, not advocates for the victory of the oppressed.

The Responsibility of Calling to the Truth

I also remind myself and my fellow preachers—whether they are Arabs or Kurds—that we cannot remain silent at such a time. If you choose to remain silent about the details of political events, then at the very least, remind people of these general meanings and the great principles of Islam that unite us; especially since there are wicked individuals who have taken these events as an opportunity to attack Islam itself under the banner of nationalism.

If the scholars and preachers remain silent, then who will guide these people and enlighten them? At such a time, concepts like "citizenship" and manufactured meanings are powerless to mend the rift and unite hearts. The only thing that will benefit people is the logic of faith, the reminder of the brotherhood of Islam, and the word of their Lord, the Almighty: {And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together, and you became, by His favor, brothers.} (Quran 3:103)

The Cohesion of the Nation and the Lesson from Divine Laws

We must not forget that our Kurdish brothers have played and continue to play a significant role in aiding their brothers in Gaza. Recently, we reported on campaigns in besieged Gaza—to the extent that it is besieged—for the aid of their brothers in Kurdistan after the floods; they are one nation with much good in them.

I do not say this because I see everyone as equal in good and evil, nor because I am unaware that some parties are driven to create sedition and corruption. Rather, I am fully aware of this, and I do not consider some of these parties as brothers to whom we direct our speech. Instead, our speech is directed to those who have been deceived by them, even though their history indicates their malice and subservience to the enemies of the nation.

I speak in general for one reason: so that the pious may unite upon a single word and not be distracted from it by delving into details. We have a lesson in what is happening: the affairs of this nation will not be set right except by the establishment of the Sharia of Allah the Almighty and the prioritization of His pleasure over all other pleasures. If we deviate from any part of it, we will be afflicted with sedition that spreads among us.

In the great authentic hadith, our Prophet ﷺ said: "O gathering of emigrants, there are five characteristics if you are afflicted by them and they descend upon you, and I seek refuge in Allah that you reach them..." What was the fifth? He, peace be upon him, said: "...and if their leaders do not rule by the Book of Allah, then strife will be made among them."

Some may think that pleasing the East or the West and accommodating them at the expense of religion will bring goodness, peace, and prosperity. No, by Allah, but "then strife will be made among them."

O Allah, spare the blood of all Muslims, gather them upon Your Book and the Sunnah of Your Prophet, and unite their hearts. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God.