From Gaza to Global War: Experts Sound Alarm at UK Panel Event
As part of this year’s Jalsa Salana gathering in Hampshire, a packed panel discussion was held on Friday, 25 July under the title: “Is the World Heading Towards a Third World War?”.
Hosted in the International Press and Media marquee, the session featured prominent speakers including veteran journalist Peter Oborne, Abid Khan, Press Secretary for the organising community, and moderator Atif Rashid, Editor-in-Chief of Analyst News. The panel also included a contribution from thinker Mandour, who explored the spiritual and social undercurrents of the global crisis.
A Fractured Global Order
Speakers warned of mounting military and political tensions across the world, and the erosion of international institutions created to prevent future global wars.
Peter Oborne remarked:
“All the institutions set up to prevent the catastrophic horror of World War II are now being undermined — by the very powers that built them.”
Abid Khan echoed concerns around global accountability, stating:
“Justice is the cornerstone of international law — that we are all equal and have equal rights. The real test is implementation: are wrongdoers being held to account equally? That’s where the system fails.”
Gaza, the Media, and Islamophobia
The panel also addressed the role of Western media in shaping narratives around international conflicts — particularly the Israeli assault on Gaza. Oborne was sharply critical of certain British media outlets, accusing them of fuelling anti-Muslim sentiment and misrepresenting facts about the situation in Palestine.
Islamophobia in the UK was a major theme throughout the discussion. The host presented data on how Muslims are perceived within British society, sparking a wave of audience questions around rising hate speech, discrimination, and the long-term impact on community cohesion.
Several attendees used the open floor to express solidarity with the people of Gaza, condemning what they described as the global silence in the face of ongoing atrocities.
The session formed part of Jalsa Salana, an annual three-day convention that draws tens of thousands of attendees from across the UK and beyond. This year’s gathering brought together around 40,000 participants. The panel was organised by the International Press & Media Office of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which coordinates media programming during the event.
Read More:
ShortURL ⬇
16°C
