Egypt, as one of the oldest Islamic civilizations and a direct neighbor of Palestine, holds a sacred trust and responsibility in the affairs of the Muslim Ummah. With Gaza at its eastern border and the Al-Aqsa cause in its direct moral vicinity, Egypt’s foreign policy must be inspired not by Western alliances or economic leverage, but by the clear and divinely ordained principles found in the Qur’an and the practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Egypt’s unique geopolitical and religious position places it at the heart of Islamic accountability, and thus it must lead a reformation in global Muslim foreign policy through example, initiative, and spiritual resolve.
Redefining Diplomatic Priorities: From Secular Nationalism to Islamic Responsibility
In recent decades, Egypt’s foreign policy has tilted toward pragmatism, secular nationalism, and preservation of international alliances, especially with the United States and Israel. However, the Qur’an commands justice, loyalty to the oppressed, and unity among believers. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), “The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers.” Egypt must transition its diplomacy toward an Ummah-centric paradigm, viewing the plight of Gaza not as a political inconvenience, but as a moral and divine responsibility.
The normalization of relations with Israel through the Camp David Accords, while politically strategic in the past, must now be re-evaluated under the lens of Qur’anic justice and the Prophet’s command to stand with the oppressed (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 23408). Political stability cannot come at the cost of moral betrayal. This does not mean sudden hostility but a phased withdrawal from silent complicity and a shift toward prophetic diplomacy: just, transparent, and centered on the wellbeing of Muslims.
Border Policy and Humanitarian Corridors to Gaza
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The closure or militarization of the Rafah border crossing during times of crisis directly violates the Qur’anic principle of supporting those under zulm (oppression). Allah says in Surah An-Nisa (4:75), “And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children…” Egypt must establish an uninterrupted, non-political humanitarian corridor to Gaza that guarantees food, medicine, and emergency supplies.
The Prophet (PBUH) never closed access to Muslims in need—even during conflict. Egypt’s policy should prioritize a “Protected Humanitarian Access Charter” governed by independent Muslim relief bodies, where state sovereignty does not override Islamic duty. Furthermore, this corridor should be made permanent, not conditional on international mediation.
Intelligence and Security Cooperation: Reversing Complicity
Egypt’s current intelligence-sharing frameworks with Israel and Western entities—particularly concerning Gaza and the Sinai—must be reassessed. While national security is paramount, such cooperation must never facilitate the oppression of fellow Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he abandon him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The policy must prioritize “Ethical Intelligence Protocols,” meaning no information, surveillance, or military action should assist or indirectly support the blockade or bombing of Palestinians. A Qur’an-driven state must act as a shield—not a funnel—for external oppression.
Redefining Ties with Israel: Conditional, Transparent, and Time-Bound
While abrogating all ties at once may be politically disruptive, Egypt should initiate a prophetic model of disengagement, similar to the Prophet’s methodical handling of Quraysh treaties post-Hudaybiyyah. Relations with Israel should now be governed by three filters:
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Transparency to the Ummah: All bilateral actions, treaties, and strategic agreements entered into by the Egyptian government must be subjected to public transparency and scholarly review. In accordance with the prophetic tradition of consultation (shura), Egypt must adopt a mechanism through which all major international agreements—especially those involving Israel, foreign militaries, and financial institutions—are disclosed in essence to the public and subjected to scrutiny by senior scholars of Al-Azhar. Just as the Prophet (PBUH) would openly discuss treaties like Hudaybiyyah with his companions, so too must the modern Egyptian state welcome national and scholarly discourse to ensure alignment with divine principles and the public good.
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Conditions of Justice: Any agreement, regardless of international pressure or diplomatic incentive, that infringes upon the rights, dignity, or autonomy of the Palestinian people must be deemed null and void under Qur’anic standards of justice. Egypt must take a principled stand that its foreign policy cannot support, legitimize, or remain silent in the face of military occupation, settlement expansion, or collective punishment. International agreements that sustain such oppression directly conflict with Egypt’s religious obligations and must be reformulated or discontinued to reflect a stance rooted in righteousness, not submission to oppressive frameworks.
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Time-Bound Legitimacy: No international treaty, including the Camp David Accords, should be treated as eternally binding if its conditions no longer reflect justice, equity, or serve Egypt’s higher moral mission. In line with the Prophet’s approach to treaties—wherein agreements were honored until breached or rendered unjust—Egypt must mandate a periodic review of such treaties every ten years. This review should be conducted by a council that includes international law experts, Islamic scholars, national security advisors, and civil society representatives. If a treaty is found to conflict with Islamic ethics, the interests of Palestine, or Egypt’s sovereignty, the nation must initiate renegotiation or announce conditional withdrawal.
Egypt’s Role as a Mediator of the Ummah
Egypt holds immense cultural, religious, and intellectual weight in the Muslim world due to Al-Azhar. Hence, its foreign ministry must be restructured to include Islamic scholars (Ulama) as permanent advisors in matters relating to Muslim nations. This aligns with the Qur’anic principle: “Ask those who have knowledge if you do not know.” (An-Nahl 16:43)
Rather than being a neutral broker between Israel and Palestine, Egypt must become the advocate of truth—Haqq—as defined by Islam. Egypt’s mediation should stand clearly on the side of the oppressed, and call injustice by its name, as Prophet Musa (A.S.) did when confronting Pharaoh despite living in his palace.
Economic Sovereignty and Ethical Partnerships
Dependence on IMF loans and foreign investment should not result in political silence on Palestine or moral compromise. Allah warns in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:120), “Never will the Jews or the Christians be pleased with you until you follow their religion.” This implies that no matter how aligned Egypt becomes with global finance powers, true respect comes only through dignity, not submission.
Egypt’s foreign economic policy must prioritize intra-Ummah trade, partnerships with ethical and sovereign nations, and build a “Palestine Reconstruction Fund” that is immune from Western sanctions and interference.
Cultural and Media Foreign Policy
Egyptian media, films, diplomacy, and soft power must reflect the dignity of the Palestinian cause. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” Egypt’s embassies and cultural centers should run continuous exhibitions, campaigns, and academic programs dedicated to highlighting the history, occupation, and resistance of the Palestinian people.
The media blackout or neutral framing must end. A Quranic state cannot allow moral ambiguity on issues where blood of innocents is shed daily.
Theological Leadership through Al-Azhar
Al-Azhar must reassert its leadership not only in academia, but also in political guidance for the Muslim Ummah. Its voice should shape Egypt’s foreign policy, especially on matters involving Muslim lands. The silence of its scholars during crises contradicts the prophetic tradition of speaking truth to power.
Egypt should empower Al-Azhar to become a diplomatic force—engaging with global Muslim bodies, issuing formal Islamic advisories (fatawa) on foreign policy alignments, and forming theological coalitions to protect Muslim interests worldwide.
Conclusion: Egypt’s Accountability Before Allah
Egypt is no ordinary state. It was home to prophets (Musa, Yusuf), scholars, and now borders one of Islam’s bleeding wounds—Gaza. Its silence or complicity will be judged not only by history but by Allah. It must return to prophetic guidance in foreign affairs, shedding the garments of international appeasement and wearing the armor of Qur’anic justice.
Let Egypt be known not for neutrality or fear—but for leadership rooted in divine obligation and prophetic courage.
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah…” (Surah An-Nisa 4:135)
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