Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s unwavering support for Palestine’s quest for freedom was visibly evident as thousands gathered at the ‘Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza: Gelombang Malaysia, Palestin Merdeka’ at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, attendees began arriving as early as 5 pm, donning white attire symbolizing peace and unity. They waved Palestinian flags and held banners with messages like ‘Don’t stop talking about Palestine,’ reflecting their resolve to voice opposition to Zionist actions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, serving as the patron for Sumud Nusantara, is expected to deliver the keynote speech at around 9 pm. His address will follow the presentation of a memorandum from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), representing voices from across the globe. Malaysian activists, including Cinta Gaza Malaysia CEO Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, along with celebrities Ardell Aryana, Heliza Helmi, and Zizi Kirana, are set to share their personal experiences at the event.
A special prayer session for Gaza, encompassing solat hajat and munajat perdana, was conducted post-Maghrib. The program also featured a poetry recital by media personality Ahmad Fedtri Yahya and a performance by Munsyid Malaysia.
Several participants, when interviewed, expressed their steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Siti Masruhah Dahli, a 22-year-old student from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), attended with a 30-member group, aiming to foster a spirit of empathy and humanity among Malaysians concerning the Palestinian plight. Civil servant Mohd Kamal Hashim, 55, accompanied by 40 colleagues, emphasized the importance of global unity for Palestine.
For Nazmil Mohamad, a 21-year-old student from India, participating in the rally was a stand for humanity. Inspired by Anwar’s speeches on Palestine, Nazmil, originally from Kerala, India, felt compelled to lend his voice once more, having attended similar gatherings in India. He highlighted the urgency of recognizing the ongoing genocide and the need for more people to vocalize support for Palestine.
The ongoing Israeli military assault on Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women, children, and civilians. The bombardment has decimated much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, leaving approximately 2.1 million residents grappling with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care due to widespread destruction by the Israeli regime.