Thousands rally in KL to mark anniversary of Hamas-Israel war, urge solidarity with Palestinians
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Some 7,000 protesters marched for about 2km under the blazing sun from a mosque near the Petronas Twin Towers.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
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KUALA LUMPUR - About 7,000 protesters in the Malaysian capital shouted slogans and displayed pro-Palestine posters, as they marched towards the US embassy on Oct 12 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-Israel war.
Organised by Malaysia’s biggest opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), they marched for about 2km under the blazing sun from a mosque near the Petronas Twin Towers after afternoon prayers.
Donning chequered neck scarves symbolising Palestine, some of the protesters chanted slogans such as “Long live Hamas, long live Palestine, destroy Israel”.
Others walked with posters that read “We are all Al-Qassam” – referring to the military wing of Hamas – “Israel is nervous” and “Arrest Netanyahu”, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Oct 7, 2023, Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel,
Nearly 42,000 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since, according to the Gazan health authorities, and most of the 2.3 million population has been displaced.
The war has since spread to Lebanon, with concern that Israel will retaliate against Iran’s missile attack on Oct 1.
While Hamas is designated a terrorist group by many Western countries, the Palestinian cause has deep roots in Muslim-majority Malaysia, which blames Israel for denying Palestinian rights to self-determination.
The Malaysian government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause,
On Oct 11, a member party of Malaysia’s governing coalition, Parti Amanah Negara, held a separate event outside the US embassy to mark the anniversary. It was attended by about 500 people.
The Oct 12 event in downtown Kuala Lumpur was attended by PAS leaders, including its president Abdul Hadi Awang and deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang urged thousands of rallygoers not to forget the Palestinian plight.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
After marching for 30 minutes, the crowd stopped some 200m from the US embassy, where police had erected a blockade. A temporary stage was quickly set up on a pickup truck equipped with loudspeakers. “Islam obliges us, be it men, women or children, to rise and fight against the tyrannical invaders. We must never surrender,” said Tan Sri Abdul Hadi.
“It is our duty to support the Palestinians, whether financially or through media promotion. The least we can do is pray for the injured to be healed,” he added, to chants of “Allah is great” from the crowd.
Peddlers displaying pro-Palestine keffiyehs (scarves) for rallygoers to purchase in Kuala Lumpur.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
Others who addressed the crowd included Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, chief of small opposition party Homeland Fighter’s Party and son of Malaysia’s former premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; and pro-Palestinian activists Tian Chua and Hishamuddin Rais.
Asked about his presence at the protest, Selangor PAS lawmaker Ahmad Yunus Hairi told The Straits Times: “We are here to support the Palestinian cause regardless of race, religion, or political differences. The war should stop after a year.”
He urged Washington to stop its military aid to Tel Aviv.
Several foreigners participated in the rally, including Indonesian student Fawwaz Yusro. “More people are becoming aware of the genocide in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” the 23-year-old said.
