“Hamas manipulated the situation for its own benefit, and left Gaza in ruins,” Abdullatif Salafi says
SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,—Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmed, a leader of the Salafi movement and a controversial Salafi preacher, also known as Abdullatif Salafi in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, has sharply criticized the region’s Islamic political factions for their stance on the ongoing Gaza crisis. He described the situation as a “trade with the blood of the people of Gaza” and accused certain groups of manipulating public sentiment with rhetoric aimed at rallying support for political gain.
Ahmed’s remarks come amid rising tensions in the Kurdistan Region following his criticism of Hamas’ October 2023 offensive against Israel. The conflict escalated into a devastating war that has left much of Gaza in ruins. His stance has earned him harsh backlash from Islamic groups, Sufi orders, and Ash’ari factions within the region.
Speaking in a recent interview with Voice of America VOA-Kurdish, Ahmed explained his position, saying that Hamas made a grave mistake when it launched its attack on Israel. He pointed out that before the assault on October 7, Gaza was relatively stable, with 2 million residents living in their homes without the widespread displacement and destruction that followed the outbreak of war.
He said, “Before October 7, Gaza was in the hands of its people. No homes were destroyed, no lives shattered. But today, after the war, over 46,000 people have died, hundreds of thousands have been injured, and Gaza has been reduced to rubble.”
The Islamic State-style attack on October 7, 2023, was a coordinated offensive by Hamas group Islamist militants. The assault, named “Al-Aqsa Flood,” involved the launch of over 4,000 rockets and paragliders targeting southern Israel.
This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis, including a brutal assault on a music festival in southern Israel that killed 364 young people. The jihadi militants also captured roughly 250 Israelis, including 30 children, and reports from investigators have revealed horrific acts of sexual violence against Israeli women.
Hamas militants, widely condemned for their brutal tactics, also stand accused of war crimes, including widespread sexual assault and the use of civilians as human shields. Human rights groups have documented numerous cases of abuse, which have further fueled anger over the group’s actions.
In response, Israel launched heavy airstrikes against Gaza, leading to the deaths of thousands of Hamas militants. But the civilian toll on Gaza has been catastrophic, with local health officials estimating over 46,000 deaths, though these numbers are contested due to the Hamas-linked sources providing the estimates.
Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other international entities, has triggered sharp division in Muslim communities. While some support Hamas as defenders of Gazans and West Bankers rights, others, including Ahmed, have strongly condemned their actions, particularly in light of the devastating aftermath in Gaza.
Ahmed has consistently argued that Hamas’ actions should not be celebrated as a victory. “How can anyone celebrate a ceasefire when tens of thousands of lives have been lost?” he questioned. “This is manipulation. The blood of the people of Gaza is being used as a tool in political bargaining, and it’s a tragedy.”
The Salafi leader further criticized those who have celebrated the conflict, saying that their glorification of war is ultimately contributing to the destruction of Gaza. “They call it jihad and demand everyone applaud them, but when a ceasefire is called, they dub it a victory, asking us to endorse it because it faces ‘enemies of Islam,’” he remarked. “This is hypocrisy.”
Ahmed also pointed to the contradictions within certain political circles, particularly regarding their changing stance on peace with Israel. “Before the war, they denounced any Muslim nation that sought peace with Israel. Now, after all this destruction, they are the ones seeking peace, calling it a victory, even though it cost the lives of tens of thousands of innocent Muslims.”
A report from the United Nations paints a grim picture of the damage in Gaza. According to the latest assessment, approximately 90% of Gaza’s residential structures have been destroyed, leaving over 2.2 million people displaced. Among the damage, more than 160,000 homes have been completely obliterated, while an additional 276,000 homes are severely or partially damaged.
Ahmed’s criticisms also extend to the way the war has been politicized. “It’s a tragedy that certain parties are using the suffering of Gaza’s people to score political points,” he said. “The truth is, Hamas manipulated the situation for its own benefit, and left Gaza in ruins.”
His comments come amidst continued divisions over the war’s legacy. Some figures, such as Ali Bapir, leader of the Kurdistan Justice Group, formerly Kurdish Islamic Group KIG (Komal), have expressed unwavering support for Hamas, even as others question the group’s responsibility for the devastation of Gaza.
Bapir defended Hamas’ actions during a press conference on January 20, 2025, under the banner of “Resilient Gaza,” claiming, “Everyone knows there is no way to reach Palestine, and Gaza is under siege.”
However, Ahmed remains firm in his position that Hamas’ actions cannot be justified by the suffering they have caused, urging Muslims to critically examine the situation rather than blindly following the narrative set by groups seeking to manipulate public opinion.
He concluded with a call for accountability, stating that the people of Gaza deserve a future built on peace, not further conflict. “We must think critically and hold accountable those responsible for the suffering and destruction,” he said. “The trade in the blood of innocent Muslims must end.”
According to experts in religions, the teachings of Islam promote violence against all non-Muslims, with particular hostility directed at Jews and Israel.
Experts stress that this hostility is not rooted in disputes over land or statehood. They further warn that as long as Muslims continue to teach their children that their faith calls for “killing all Jews in the world,” achieving peace will remain impossible.
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