KUALA LUMPUR: A powerful display of unity was evident among the crowd who started gathering for the 'Himpunan Pembebasan Palestin' rally taking place at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil here, today.
Norita Che Ali, a participant, said the event was another platform for people in the country to voice their support for the Palestinians and condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime.
"We fight with the Palestinians. We need to advocate for their rights, as this is the only thing we can do to help them.
"We are here to pray and express our commitment to helping them reclaim their homeland.
"We are profoundly disturbed by the violence, particularly the indiscriminate killing of women and children. Therefore, we need to extend our support," said Norita, a supervisor at the Pusat Wanita Berdaya, Lembah Jaya, in Selangor.
Shahnor Misri from Shah Alam, said he and his wife arrived as early as 4pm to avoid traffic heading to the venue.
"We didn't want to miss the opportunity to participate in a solidarity gathering for the Palestinian cause.
"This is also a tribute to the late (Hamas leader) Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by the Israelis," he said.
Asia Middle East Centre for Research & Dialogue (Amec) director, Muhammad Imran, praised the federal government for organising the event to show solidarity with the Palestinians.
Imran, who is a Palestinian himself, said his attendance at the gathering was also to show his appreciation to the organiser.
"Of course, this gathering is important to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, as they endure this genocide.
"People in Malaysia and around the world want to express their condemnation of the atrocity being committed in Palestine," he said.
Imran, one of the speakers at today's event, called on everyone, regardless of race or religion, to stand together with humanity, and condemn the genocide.
"Regardless of our background, Muslim, Christian, or Hindu, we have to show that we cannot normalise genocide, and the massacre of civilians.
"I think this event is a good move, and I hope they (the government) will organise more."