The Abraham Accords are a series of historic diplomatic agreements signed in 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab countries. Facilitated by the Trump administration, the accords are named after Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), a central figure in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The agreements aim to promote peace, cooperation, and economic development in the Middle East. Key details include:
Initial Signatories: On September 15, 2020, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain signed agreements with Israel in Washington, D.C.
Subsequent Signatories: Sudan and Morocco joined in October and December 2020, respectively, though Sudan’s agreement remains partially implemented as of 2024.
Key Facilitator: Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, played a significant role.
Core Objectives: Establishing diplomatic relations, including embassies and exchanges.
Promoting cooperation in trade, tourism, health, technology, energy, defense, and culture.
Facilitating Muslim access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for peaceful worship.
Encouraging interfaith dialogue for regional harmony.
Countering Iran’s influence by fostering Israel-Sunni Arab collaboration.

The Abraham Accords marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with the following impacts:
UAE-Israel Relations: Direct flights and visa-free travel were established, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $3 billion annually by 2023.
Sudan’s Incentives: Sudan was removed from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list and received over $1 billion in debt relief.
Morocco’s Gains: The U.S. recognized Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara in exchange for normalized ties with Israel.
Future Expansion: As of July 2025, efforts are underway to include Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia in the Accords.
Criticism: The Accords lack a clear framework for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, leading to widespread criticism. Palestinians view them as a betrayal, and countries like Iran and segments of Pakistan’s population oppose them, seeing them as tacit recognition of Israel.

Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a prominent Pakistani Islamic scholar, views the Abraham Accords through a principled and ideological lens, emphasizing the Palestinian cause. His stance, as articulated in Roznama Dunya (July 24, 2025), includes:
Ideological Commitment: He believes the Palestinian issue is rooted in Islamic brotherhood (akhuwat-e-Islami), transcending geographical or cultural boundaries. He cites the Prophetic saying: “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor leaves him at the mercy of others” (Bukhari: 2442).
Opposition to Israel’s Legitimacy: Mufti Muneeb aligns with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s view that Israel is an occupying entity, and the Palestinian right to their homeland is indisputable.
Criticism of the Accords: He opposes the Accords due to their failure to address Palestinian rights or propose a resolution to the conflict. He sees them as undermining the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
Strategic Concerns: He argues that abandoning support for Palestine could weaken Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, given parallels between the two issues under UN resolutions. This is particularly relevant as India has annexed occupied Kashmir and claims Azad Kashmir.
Moral Stand: He rejects pragmatic or transactional approaches to the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that it should be viewed through an ethical and religious framework rather than economic or political interests.

In Pakistan, opinions on the Palestinian issue and the Abraham Accords are divided:
Liberal Perspective: Some liberal groups, political parties, and intellectuals argue that Pakistan has no direct geographical, linguistic, or cultural ties to Palestine. They note that Arab countries, including those in the Middle East and even Iran, have not consistently supported Pakistan on Kashmir. They advocate for a pragmatic approach, prioritizing national interests over emotional solidarity with Palestine.
Mufti Muneeb’s Perspective: In contrast, Mufti Muneeb and religious scholars emphasize the ideological and religious significance of the Palestinian cause. They view it as a matter of Islamic unity and justice, arguing that recognizing Palestinian rights is a moral and religious obligation. He believes that supporting Palestine strengthens Pakistan’s principled stance on issues like Kashmir.

Mufti Muneeb stresses a principled approach due to:
Religious Duty: He views the Palestinian struggle as tied to Islamic values of justice and brotherhood, rooted in Quranic and Prophetic teachings.
National Interest: He warns that compromising on Palestine could weaken Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, as both involve self-determination and resistance to occupation.
Global Implications: He sees the Accords as part of a broader strategy to marginalize Palestinian rights and bolster Israel’s regional influence, which he believes conflicts with Islamic and Pakistani values.

Mufti Muneeb’s position reflects a significant segment of Pakistani public opinion, particularly among religious and ideological groups. His stance:
Reinforces Pakistan’s historical support for Palestine, aligning with the views of its founder, Quaid-e-Azam.
Highlights the need for diplomatic prudence (hassan-e-tadbeer) to balance ideological commitments with strategic interests.
Challenges the normalization of ties with Israel without addressing Palestinian statehood, influencing Pakistan’s foreign policy discourse.