Why #BoycotteBankAlFalah became the top trend on Twitter?
This article explains why Bank Alfalah, a Pakistani financial institution, is facing a boycott campaign on social media for allegedly refusing to collect donations for the Palestinians. It also provides the bank's response and the context of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
Why is a Pakistani bank being boycotted for refusing to take donations for Palestine?
The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has sparked a wave of anger and grief among the Muslim world, and many people have launched campaigns to boycott various international companies and organizations that have any ties or proximity to Israel. In Pakistan, a local financial institution, Bank Alfalah, has surprisingly joined this list, which is apparently known as an Islamic and non-interest bank.
On the popular social media site Twitter, the hashtag #BoycotteBankAlFalah is trending, and many users are claiming that the bank has refused to collect donations for the Palestinians. Some users have also shared screenshots of messages from the bank that allegedly show the refusal to accept donations. Many users have expressed their strong reaction by breaking their ATM cards of the bank and appealing to other customers to end their financial dealings with it.
بینک الفلاح نے فلسطین کیلئے جمع کیے جانے والے عطیات کو جمع کرنے سے انکار کر دیا۔ ان حرامخوروں سے اپنی رقوم نکلوائیں تاکہ انہیں بھی احساس ہو۔#BoycotteBankAlFalah pic.twitter.com/laWVEvOmXu
— Komail Ahmad Muaviah (@KomailMuavia313) November 8, 2023
So far, the bank has not issued any confirmation or denial of these claims and allegations. However, some sources have reported that the bank has clarified that it is not authorized to collect donations for any political or religious cause, and that it only accepts donations for its own charitable foundation, Alfalah Foundation. The bank has also stated that it is not against the Palestinian cause, and that it respects the sentiments of its customers.
The bank's explanation, however, has not satisfied many users, who have accused it of being hypocritical and insensitive to the plight of the oppressed Muslims in Gaza. Some users have also pointed out that the bank has links to the Abu Dhabi Group, which is owned by a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, one of the countries that have normalized relations with Israel.
The boycott campaign against Bank Alfalah is part of a larger movement of solidarity and support for the Palestinians, who have been subjected to brutal attacks and bombardment by the Israeli forces for more than a month. According to the latest reports, more than 250 Palestinians, including 66 children, have been killed and thousands injured in the Israeli aggression. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Conclusion:
The boycott campaign against Bank Alfalah shows how the Palestinian cause has resonated with the Muslim masses, who are willing to take action against any entity that they perceive as being complicit or indifferent to the Israeli oppression. The bank's silence and ambiguity have only fueled the anger and distrust of its customers, who have demanded a clear and unequivocal stance on the issue. The bank's reputation and credibility are at stake, and it needs to address the concerns of its customers and the public as soon as possible.