Buya Yahya: Today Is Not the Time to Discuss Sunni–Shia

Charismatic cleric from Cirebon, West Java (Jawa Barat), KH Yahya Zainul Ma’rif, known as Buya Yahya, says it is not appropriate to always discuss Sunni–Shia in the struggle to defend Palestine. The head of the Al Bahjah pesantren explains that the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven itself to be at the forefront in defending Palestine. They are also fighting the Zionist occupation by Israel and the United States (US), so they deserve to be defended and supported. ‘Today, it is not the time for us to talk about that (Sunni–Shia),’ Buya Yahya said, as quoted from his official Instagram page buyayahya_albahjah, on Thursday, 5 March 2026. Buya Yahya’s statement concerns the question, ‘Is it permissible to support Iran in attacking Israel?’ Buya Yahya emphasised that anyone, from any country, as long as they have a mission to defend Palestine from Zionist occupation, should be supported and defended. ‘Whether someone from Iran will appear later, or from England, or perhaps from China. As long as they are fighting against oppression of humanity, they are world fighters,’ Buya Yahya said. He added that humanity must not delay in realising that Zionist Israel is the enemy of human civilisation today. They are not only enemies of Muslims, but enemies of all humanity today. ‘We have already been slow to collectively realise that Israel is our common enemy. And it (Israel) has desecrated humanity,’ Buya Yahya said.