Queen Rania: Gaza Is the Lens That Forces Us to See Things with Moral Clarity
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Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah said that Gaza today constitutes the lens that compels us to see matters with moral clarity, stressing the need to reassess the foundations upon which standards of civilization and leadership are built — not only for the Middle East, but for many around the world — describing the scale of destruction in Gaza as “catastrophic.”اضافة اعلان
Her Majesty delivered these remarks before a large audience of university students in Mexico at the Siglo XXI (21st Century) Conference, one of the largest annual youth events organized by the Telmex-Telcel Foundation.
In her speech, Her Majesty stated:
“The scale of destruction we are witnessing in Gaza is catastrophic. Its brutality is undeniable. Homes and histories are being crushed under the rubble… Tens of thousands of people have been killed. Israel is starving an entire population under a siege that cuts off every lifeline. Exhausted doctors, themselves hungry, are struggling to treat the wounded amid severe shortages of supplies. Brave journalists reporting from the frontlines are being killed with impunity.”
She added that Gaza today, for many around the world, challenges dominant viewpoints, assumptions, and givens, pushing people to question narratives that are imposed as unquestionable facts, and “reveals how truths can be distorted, how unspeakable suffering can be justified, and how an entire people can be stripped of their humanity.”
In this context, Her Majesty called for an honest moment of reflection to reassess the foundations of moral values in the face of what she described as “the erosion of moral conscience in a world overwhelmed by chaos, distraction, and noise.” She stressed the need to redefine how societies understand progress and leadership:
“There is no world in which it is justifiable to bomb hospitals, starve children, or shoot at people seeking aid.”
Her Majesty further noted that “in a world that equates economic strength with moral superiority, developing and emerging countries are often belittled — and that is misleading.” She emphasized that development does not necessarily equate to civilization, and civilization is not measured by GDP but rather by how we treat others, especially in times of hardship.
She continued:
“Instead of measuring our worth by global rankings of economy and influence, we must look inward — to our truth, our values, and our sense of what is right. In Jordan, we are proud of our heritage — its strength, dignity, and depth. Jordan has opened its doors to millions displaced by conflict, spoken in the name of peace, and stood by the marginalized. Mexico, too, has sought to do good, offering refuge and a voice to those who had none.”
Her Majesty also highlighted the importance of preserving shared human values, expressing admiration for young people worldwide who refused to remain silent in the face of Palestinian suffering. She described their stance as “an embodiment of moral courage in a disoriented world,” saying:
“Amid the suffering we have witnessed in Palestine, I was deeply moved by the reactions of so many around the world who refused to stay silent. People risked their education, reputations, and livelihoods to give voice to those they had never met. Young people, in particular, rose and united because they could see for themselves that this catastrophic suffering has nothing to do with humanity.”
She noted that speaking out when silence prevails is at the heart of what makes us human in an age where human beings are reduced to mere numbers and data.
Her Majesty added:
“For me, my faith is my moral anchor. Islam teaches us compassion, justice, generosity, and human dignity. These are not just principles but actions that shape our daily lives.”
Addressing the youth in attendance, she said:
“Whatever your moral anchor may be, find it and hold on to it. It will help you learn from others without diminishing yourself.”
Queen Rania concluded her speech with a verse from the Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, verse 46:
‘Have they not traveled through the land so that their hearts may reason and their ears may hear? Indeed, it is not the eyes that go blind, but the hearts within the chests.’
She emphasized that hearts carrying mercy and human wisdom may sometimes be blind, but they can regain insight the very next moment if we so choose. A person, she said, is responsible for their heart, awareness, and choices, and can always return to their innate moral compass if they decide to truly see.
The session dedicated to Her Majesty began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Carlos Slim, Chairman and CEO of Telmex, followed by an introduction highlighting Queen Rania’s biography and her achievements in education, human rights, and development.
The session witnessed strong interaction from the audience. Following her address, Queen Rania engaged in an open dialogue on issues including opportunities and risks posed by modern technology, cultural diversity and coexistence, global political turmoil — particularly the Palestinian cause and the war on Gaza — the importance of intercultural dialogue and correcting misconceptions about Islam, as well as women’s issues. She also shared personal experiences.
The Siglo XXI (21st Century) Conference aims to empower outstanding university students who receive scholarships from the Telmex-Telcel Foundation by connecting them with inspiring encounters with world-renowned figures from diverse fields.
Her Majesty delivered these remarks before a large audience of university students in Mexico at the Siglo XXI (21st Century) Conference, one of the largest annual youth events organized by the Telmex-Telcel Foundation.
In her speech, Her Majesty stated:
“The scale of destruction we are witnessing in Gaza is catastrophic. Its brutality is undeniable. Homes and histories are being crushed under the rubble… Tens of thousands of people have been killed. Israel is starving an entire population under a siege that cuts off every lifeline. Exhausted doctors, themselves hungry, are struggling to treat the wounded amid severe shortages of supplies. Brave journalists reporting from the frontlines are being killed with impunity.”
She added that Gaza today, for many around the world, challenges dominant viewpoints, assumptions, and givens, pushing people to question narratives that are imposed as unquestionable facts, and “reveals how truths can be distorted, how unspeakable suffering can be justified, and how an entire people can be stripped of their humanity.”
In this context, Her Majesty called for an honest moment of reflection to reassess the foundations of moral values in the face of what she described as “the erosion of moral conscience in a world overwhelmed by chaos, distraction, and noise.” She stressed the need to redefine how societies understand progress and leadership:
“There is no world in which it is justifiable to bomb hospitals, starve children, or shoot at people seeking aid.”
Her Majesty further noted that “in a world that equates economic strength with moral superiority, developing and emerging countries are often belittled — and that is misleading.” She emphasized that development does not necessarily equate to civilization, and civilization is not measured by GDP but rather by how we treat others, especially in times of hardship.
She continued:
“Instead of measuring our worth by global rankings of economy and influence, we must look inward — to our truth, our values, and our sense of what is right. In Jordan, we are proud of our heritage — its strength, dignity, and depth. Jordan has opened its doors to millions displaced by conflict, spoken in the name of peace, and stood by the marginalized. Mexico, too, has sought to do good, offering refuge and a voice to those who had none.”
Her Majesty also highlighted the importance of preserving shared human values, expressing admiration for young people worldwide who refused to remain silent in the face of Palestinian suffering. She described their stance as “an embodiment of moral courage in a disoriented world,” saying:
“Amid the suffering we have witnessed in Palestine, I was deeply moved by the reactions of so many around the world who refused to stay silent. People risked their education, reputations, and livelihoods to give voice to those they had never met. Young people, in particular, rose and united because they could see for themselves that this catastrophic suffering has nothing to do with humanity.”
She noted that speaking out when silence prevails is at the heart of what makes us human in an age where human beings are reduced to mere numbers and data.
Her Majesty added:
“For me, my faith is my moral anchor. Islam teaches us compassion, justice, generosity, and human dignity. These are not just principles but actions that shape our daily lives.”
Addressing the youth in attendance, she said:
“Whatever your moral anchor may be, find it and hold on to it. It will help you learn from others without diminishing yourself.”
Queen Rania concluded her speech with a verse from the Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, verse 46:
‘Have they not traveled through the land so that their hearts may reason and their ears may hear? Indeed, it is not the eyes that go blind, but the hearts within the chests.’
She emphasized that hearts carrying mercy and human wisdom may sometimes be blind, but they can regain insight the very next moment if we so choose. A person, she said, is responsible for their heart, awareness, and choices, and can always return to their innate moral compass if they decide to truly see.
The session dedicated to Her Majesty began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Carlos Slim, Chairman and CEO of Telmex, followed by an introduction highlighting Queen Rania’s biography and her achievements in education, human rights, and development.
The session witnessed strong interaction from the audience. Following her address, Queen Rania engaged in an open dialogue on issues including opportunities and risks posed by modern technology, cultural diversity and coexistence, global political turmoil — particularly the Palestinian cause and the war on Gaza — the importance of intercultural dialogue and correcting misconceptions about Islam, as well as women’s issues. She also shared personal experiences.
The Siglo XXI (21st Century) Conference aims to empower outstanding university students who receive scholarships from the Telmex-Telcel Foundation by connecting them with inspiring encounters with world-renowned figures from diverse fields.
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