Palestinian Authroity Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash calls for a short-lived truce like like Mohammed's Treaty of Hudaybiyyah before returning to "conquer Mecca." Photo: Screenshot

In a Friday sermon in the presence of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, PA Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash equated the looming US-brokered peace talks between Israel and the PA with the Prophet Mohammed’s short-lived Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, saying it  should be “the model” for current peace talks. The treaty, which was subsequently violated, resulted in Mohammed’s conquering of Mecca two years after it was signed.

In a video of the sermon broadcast on Palestinian Authority TV on July 19, then uploaded to YouYube and translated by Palestinian Media Watch, Al-Habbash said: “We hate war. We don’t want war. We don’t want bloodshed, not for ourselves, nor for others. We want peace. We say this because our culture is founded on this, and because our religion is based on this. Yes, we want peace, but not any peace. We want a peace based on justice, therefore the Palestinian leadership and the PLO have not missed any opportunity for peace.”

“The Palestinian leadership’s sense of responsibility towards its nation made it take political steps about 20 years ago (i.e., signing the Oslo Accords). Despite the controversy, despite much criticism and much opposition by some, it brought us to where we are today: We have a [Palestinian] Authority and the world recognizes the [Palestinian] state.”

“All this never would have happened through Hamas’ impulsive adventure, but only through the wisdom of the leadership, conscious action, consideration, and walking the right path, which leads to achievement, exactly like the Prophet [Muhammad] did in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, even though some opposed it.”

“The hearts of the Prophet’s companions burned with anger and fury. The Prophet said: ‘I’m the Messenger of Allah and I will not disobey Him.’ This is not disobedience, it is politics. This is crisis management, situation management, conflict management.”

“Allah called this treaty a clear victory. Omar ibn Al-Khattab said: ‘Messenger of Allah, is this a victory? Is this logical? Is this victory? We are giving up and going back, and not entering Mecca. Is that a victory?’ The Prophet said: ‘Yes, it is a victory.'”

“In less than two years, the Prophet returned and based on this treaty, he conquered Mecca. This is the example, this is the model.”

Watch a subtitled video of the sermon below.