Queen Rania Stresses Need for a Global Shift in Perspective in Light of Gaza War at Mexico Siglo XXI Conference

(Office of Her Majesty - Press Department – Mexico City) - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah denounced Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, stressing that what experts have deemed a genocide there “demands a reckoning.”

Speaking at the Mexico Siglo XXI Conference in Mexico City on Friday to thousands of university students on scholarships funded by Fundación Telmex-Telcel AC, Queen Rania highlighted the devastation, cruelty, and starvation that people in Gaza have been subjected to, with homes reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of civilians killed.

“Doctors, weak from hunger, struggle to treat patients with scarce resources. Journalists bravely reporting from the front lines are killed with impunity,” she said.  

The Queen noted that the war in Gaza “is challenging perspectives and fundamental assumptions” of people around the world and exposing how narratives can be distorted to excuse unspeakable suffering and dehumanize entire populations.

Her Majesty warned that in an age of constant disruption and distraction – accelerated by the rapid advances of AI – moral clarity is at risk of being blurred. She underscored that certain truths remain absolute: “There is no world in which it is OK to bomb hospitals, starve children, or shoot desperate aid seekers.”

The Queen then urged the international community not to turn away from such moral collapse, warning that in an AI-driven, fast-paced world, technology without humanity will not deliver true progress: “We optimize systems, turning people into collateral. And then we let those very systems override our moral compasses.”

Her Majesty emphasized the need to reevaluate how societies define progress and leadership, urging that we stop seeking validation through global comparisons of power, status, or influence, and instead draw on the wisdom and principles within our own rich cultures and traditions. True progress and moral clarity, she insisted, come from defining our values inwardly, not by external approval.

Citing Jordan as an example, she stressed the “strength, dignity, and depth” of its heritage, where traditions of dignity, compassion, and hospitality serve as a source of strength and integrity. “It’s a country where we kiss the hands of our elders, hold a grieving neighbor close, welcome strangers with Arabic coffee and warm hearts,” she said.

Her Majesty affirmed that her faith is her personal moral anchor, stating that “Islam teaches us compassion, charity, justice, and the dignity of all people. These are not just principles, but actions that shape our daily lives, from how we touch our foreheads to the earth in humble prayer, to how we greet each other: peace be upon you.”

The Queen encouraged her young audience to ground themselves in their moral anchor and to “embrace all there is to learn from others without diminishing yourself.”

Pointing out that what is true for individuals is also true for entire nations, Her Majesty explained that while countries like Jordan and Mexico may not be leaders in global rankings, both have always strived to do the right thing. “My country has opened its doors to millions displaced by conflict. We have spoken up for peace and stood up for the dispossessed.”

The Queen went on to clarify that “development must not be mistaken for decency,” where she defined decency as the measure of our choices and how we treat others. “That is the perspective we need – the one that, yes, celebrates technology, seeks prosperity, and invests in our advancement. But above all, one that places people at its center,” she explained.

Noting that the world will continue to move faster and may at times feel “morally adrift,” Her Majesty encouraged her audience to not lose sight of what matters, and expressed her deep admiration for people around the world, especially youth, for their solidarity with Palestinians.

“To choose to see the humanity of strangers halfway across the world. To listen to stories that are rarely told. To say out loud what needs to be said. That is moral clarity,” she explained. “In an era that so often reduces us to data points, this is the very essence of what makes us human,” she added.

Following her speech, Queen Rania participated in a moderated discussion with Mexican journalist Pamela Cerdeira.

The Mexico Siglo XXI Conference is a yearly gathering hosted by Fundación Telmex-Telcel AC, the philanthropic arm of Telmex telecommunications company, owned by Mexican businessman and philanthropist Carlos Slim Helú. Launched in 2002, the conference brings together recipients of the foundation’s financial support program, which is comprised of students who have excelled in academics and social commitment.