Observing Al-Quds Day: Rallies in Support of the Palestinian People Around the World

Mass rally in Syria to express solidarity with Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque

[ 06/10/2007 - 09:14 AM ]

DAMASCUS, (PIC)--

Thousands of Palestinian refugees along with Syrian citizens and the Arab and Islamic communities participated on Friday in a mass march in Damascus in solidarity with occupied Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the occasion of international day for Jerusalem.

The march started with the participation of leaders of Palestinian factions and a number of the diplomatic corps of Arab and Muslim countries accredited to Damascus.

The masses chanted slogans and carried banners condemning the policies of concessions practiced by the PA team in Ramallah and expressing solidarity with the resistance option as the sole means towards ending the Israeli occupation and restoring the usurped Palestinian rights.

For his part, Talal Nassar, who is in charge of organizing Hamas mass activities in the Syrian arena, explained that the Palestinian and Syrian masses went on the march to express their solidarity with occupied Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque which are threatened by the Zionist schemes, pointing to the Israeli attempts to judaize the holy city and to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Nassar warned of the threats posed by the autumn conference called for by the American administration, confirming the Palestinian people's adherence to resistance as a strategic option to repel the Israeli occupation and to restore all usurped rights.

For his part, Ahmad Jibril, the secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), condemned the policy of concessions exercised by PA chief Mahmoud Abbas, underlining that Abbas's policy does not represent the will and interests of the Palestinian people and that the resistance and steadfastness are the only ways to confront the Israeli aggressions.

In the same context, thousands of people also went on mass marches on Friday in Lebanon and Iran to condemn the Israeli threats against occupied Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque and to express their solidarity with the constitutionally-elected government headed by premier Ismail Haniya.

"Down with Zionism" residents shout in Cape Town streets

Pretoria, Oct 5, IRNA South Africa-Intl' Qods Day

Thousands of Muslims living in the port city of Cape Town, the second largest city in South Africa, marched in the streets to commemorate International Qods Day.

Friday prayers leaders of the mosques in the city called worshipers and Islamic governments and Ummah to unity and solidarity against the conspiracies of the enemies of Islam and also to make efforts to free Palestine.

Worshipers, after ending the prayer, gathered in front of a mosque and then started to rally toward parliament building in the downtown.

The marchers carried the flags of Palestine and Iran and shouted slogans like; "Down with USA", " Down with Zionism".

At the end of the rally in a square close to the parliament the marchers read a resolution supporting Palestinian uprising and condemning anti human actions of the Zionist regime.

Iranian officials support Palestine on Qods Day

Tehran, Oct 5, IRNA

Iran-World Qods Day-Iranian officials On the occasion of the World Qods Day, the Iranian senior officials by participating in a rally condemned crimes of the Qods occupying regime and its supporters and supported the oppressed Palestinians.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Friday condemned the atrocities of the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian people and said, "Why don't you let the black box of the Zionist regime be decoded? He asked supporters of the Zionist regime while addressing ralliers in the World Qods Day rallies.

"If the Western leaders are not members of the Zionist party, they should allow an international fact finding group decode the black box," he added.

"Nations should be allowed to conduct research on crimes of the Zionist regime and decode the black box for its atrocities," Ahmadinejad continued.

"They violate sanctity of prophets and insult human dignity and democracy and say they have nothing to do with these acts.

"You have turned what you call Holocaust into a holy issue and do not let anybody raise any question about it." Ahmadinejad stated, "Events took place in the World War II.

Later, they committed a historical genocide in Palestine. They ratified unlimited and holy rights for themselves and introduced all nations as criminals.

"They allowed themselves to commit whatever crimes under the pretext of the Holocaust. They even built secret prisons in Europe and attacked and imposed economic sanctions against a nation who did not officially recognize the Zionist regime." "Today, Qods is not an issue only related to Palestine and the Middle East but a case of world of humanity," Ahmadinejad said.

He stated that creation of the Zionist regime, continuation of its existence, its performance and unlimited support for the regime (by the US) are an insult to human dignity.

The president said, "The world should know that the Iranian nation hates massacre. It regards agents of the World War II and Hitler as dark and black faces." He stressed that the Palestinian people would not give up their right until liberation of Palestine and condemnation of criminals.

Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi joined the World Qods Day rallies today, held on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan.

The ayatollah said, "World Qods Day makes afraid arrogant states, especially the Zionist regime." Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel told IRNA on Friday while marching with people," Palestine issue will never be put into oblivion by the world's Muslim nations." He said Iranians' high turnout in today's demonstrations sends an important message to global arrogance and the usurper Zionist regime that Muslim nations are fully aware of the ongoing conditions worldwide.

First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi said here Friday that the Zionist regime and its structure are marked with crimes, so nothing but resistance would work against this illegal entity.

Minister of Culture and the Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Hossein Saffar-Harandi here Friday stressed the vital role of the Islamic world's support for the Palestinian people.

Speaking to IRNA on the sidelines of the International Qods Day rallies, Saffar said, "Qods Day is a day when the glass palace of the enemies of Islam shattered." He went on to say " Qods Day is a day of confrontation between the whole blasphemy against the whole Islam and a symbol of shouting of the world oppressed people against arrogant powers." Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar called the World Qods Day as a symbol of integration of all Muslim nations.

While marching with other people in Tehran streets, Najjar told IRNA, "Qods Day is a memory of late Imam Khomeini." The minister went on to say, "Holding free elections is the best solution for Palestine issue." 1391/1771

Iranians residing in Ankara commemorate Int'l Qods Day

Ankara, Oct 5, IRNA Turkey-Iranians-Qods Day A large number of Iranians residing here attended a commemoration ceremony held at Culture House of the IRI Embassy on last Friday of Ramadan, international Qods Day.

The ceremony that began with the recitation of some holy verses from the Glorious Qur'an continued with presentation of an article jointly prepared by two of the students of Ankara's Bahman 22nd Academic Complex on occupied holy Qods.

Care taker of IRI Embassy in Turkey, Gholam-Reza Baqeri-Moqaddam was the next speaker at the ceremony.

He presented a brief history on the establishment of the Zionist regime, beginning with the theories put forth by Theodore Herzl in the late years of the 19th century, followed by the colonialist treacherous plots hatched by Britain, and the issuance of Balfore Declaration by the British foreign Minister of the time, based on which London had announced its readiness to recognize the establishment of a Jewish state at the heart of the Islamic lands of Palestine.

He than focused on the role played by the late Imam Khomeini in declaring the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan as the International Qods Day as a great initiative, adding, "Promotion of Qods Ideal was really a wise move that led to improving the self esteem of the Palestinians, and strengthening their beliefs." Baqeri-Moqaddam attributed the strategic importance of the Middle East and Palestine region to their position as the connection point for Asia, Africa, and Europe, adding, "That is one of the main reasons for the big powers, particularly the United States' strong backing for the existence of the Zionist regime." He said that the same point was the reason for the world powers' wrath after hearing the two clear and frank questions posed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Zionist regime, and the occupied Palestine.

The embassy care taker said, "If they say the Jews did not feel secure in Europe, why do the Europeans not allow the researchers and historians to study the authenticity of that claim, and if the Europeans were responsible for the Jews' miseries in Europe, why are the Palestinians paying the price?" He added, "These two questions and the victorious resistance of the Lebanese Hezbollah last year despite the brutal attacks of the Zionist regime have put the usurper regime at its weakest position throughout its black history." The Iranian embassy official said that the establishment of the Zionist regime sixty years ago has posed a serious security threat to the world, and particularly to the Middle East region, while the entire peace and security pacts devised for this conflict have faced defeat due to their unjust nature, and ignoring the rights of the Palestinians.

He added, "The Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei has proposed launching a comprehensive referendum, in accordance with rules of democracy, in which the entire real residents of the occupied Palestine, including Muslims, the Christians and the Jews would each have one vote." Baqeri-Moqaddam said, "We hope next year we would commemorate the International Qods Day following the victory of Truth.

Annual al-Qods Day march gains support in London

London, Oct 5, IRNA UK-Al-Qods Day

This year's annual al-Qods Day march in central London has gained wider recognition after receiving support not only from diverse Muslim groups but others sympathetic to the injustices of Palestine under Israeli occupation.

The march on Sunday is again being supported by such orthodox Jewish groups as Neturei Karta as well as uniting more Muslim organizations.

Others adding their name for the first time include the anti-war Respect Party and the 1990 Trust, the first national organisation in the UK that was set up to protect and pioneer the interest of Britain's Black communities.

The march, to express solidarity with the dispossessed Palestinians, has been held annually around the world since the late leader of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini, designated the last Friday in the holy fasting month of Ramadan as Qods Day in 1981.

"The Muslims of the world should view Qods Day not only as a day for all the Muslims of the world, but one for all the deprived, and from that sensitive point, they should stand against the oppressors and the world-plunderers," he said.

People, he said at the time 16 years ago, should "not rest until the oppressed have been set free from the oppression of the power- wielders." This year's march in London, with such slogans as "End Child Killing, End Oppression and End Israeli Apartheid, is being held from Marble Arch to Trafalgar Square.

Amongst the speakers is the Respect MP, George Galloway, who set up the anti-war party after he was expelled from Britain's ruling Labour Party for making outspoken criticisms of the US-led Iraq war in 2003.

Supporting the commemoration, the Islamic Human Rights Commission said that it should not matter what nationality or religion the originator of an idea hails from, "the idea itself should stand on its own merits - something the concept of Al-Qods Day does."

Intl' Qods Day commemorated in Kuwait

Kuwait city, Oct 5, IRNA Kuwait-Intl' Qods Day

International Qods Day was commemorated here on Friday in some Kuwaiti mosques.

Participants in the mosques shouted slogans such as, " Down with USA", " Down with Israel", " Oh! Muslims, unite, unite." Protesters were carrying pictures of late Imam Khomeini, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Lebanese Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrollah, Late Sheikh Ahmad Yasin and martyred Fathi Shaqaqi.

Hassan Jouhar, a Kuwaiti parliament member, told the people in the Shaaban Mosque that late Imam Khomeini by this initiative kept alive Bait al-Muqaddas in the heart of Muslims forever.

Abdel-Mohsen Jamal, former Kuwait parliament member and head of Kuwait Engineers Union, said late Imam Khomeini by his divine initiative in designating the last Friday of fasting Month of Ramadan as International Qods Day had fulfilled part of his mission to create Islamic awareness concerning conspiracies of the world arrogance against Islamic Ummah.

Also a conference dubbed as "Qods and unilateral dominance" kicked off its work in Kuwait City on Thursday evening which continued on Friday, too.

Indian leader expresses solidarity with Palestinians

New Delhi, Oct 5, IRNA India-Int'l Qods Day Expressing solidarity with the Palestinians for their heroic resistance against the Zionist's atrocities, an Indian leader today said: "The International Quds Day is an important event to oppose the Zionist regime's illegal occupation of Bait-ul-Moqaddas, Muslims' first qibla (direction of prayer)." Talking to IRNA, Shoaib Iqbal, Deputy Speaker of Delhi Legislative Assembly, today said, "The International Qods Day (last Friday of the Holy month of Ramadhan) has received importance all over the world as it is associated with the liberation of Bait-ul-Moqaddas, the place from where Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) ascended to the heavens." "International Qods Day was initiated by the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the late Imam Khomeini(R.A.) to rally all Muslims to defend the rights of Palestinians and to liberate Bait-ul-Moqaddas," he said, adding that support of World Muslims for the Palestinian people would be the only solution to liberate Palestine and Bait-ul- Moqaddas from the clutches of Zionist regime.

Asking the Indian society to support the just cause of the Palestinian people, Shoaib felt obliged at the outset to express a word of recognition and gratitude to the government and the people of India who have stood firm and committed over the years on the side of justice and in support of an independent Palestine.

The last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan is observed all over the world as the International Qods Day which falls on October 5 this year.

On the day, Muslims worldover hold demonstrations to denunciate atrocities of Zionist regime against Palestinians and the Zionist's illegal occupation of the Beit-ul-Moqaddas.

Int'l Qods Day revives hopes for release of Bait-ul-Moqaddas: Indian Scholar

New Delhi, Oct 3, IRNA India-Int'l Qods Day-Scholar Lauding the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini (R.A.) for introducing the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan as the World Qods Day, an Indian Islamic Scholar, today said, "The International Qods Day has revived the hopes of Islamic World particularly Palestinian people for the release of Bait-ul-Moqaddas (Muslims' first qibla (direction of prayer) from the occupying forces.

Talking to IRNA, Professor Baseer Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, said, "International Qods Day is an indication that the issue of Bait-ul- Moqaddas is not only a case of the Palestinian people but is a cause of Muslims all over the world." To Muslims, Bait-ul-Moqaddas is where Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to the heavens, he said, adding it was the Muslims' first qibla (direction of prayer) and is the third holy city of Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Adding that the stance taken by the Muslims all over the world, especially Iranians, since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, shows that the Palestinians are not alone in their fight against the Zionist regime and the Bait-ul-Moqaddas, in not so distant future, would be handed over to its true owners." Urging the world Muslims to encourage the Palestinians to continue path of resistance until final victory, Baseer asked Muslims around the world to fully unite to liberate the Beit-ul-Moqaddas from the hands of the Zionist regime.

Criticizing the World powers silent over illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by the Zionist regime and atrocities on Palestinian people, the Professor said, "The world should understand that the Muslims will never forget Palestine and people's presence in the rallies on Qods Day all over the world has a great effect in strengthening the spirits of the Palestinian people." The last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan is observed as the World Qods Day which falls on October 5 this year.

On the day, Muslims worldover hold demonstrations to denunciate atrocities of Zionist regime against Palestinians and the Zionist's illegal occupation of the Beit-ul-Moqaddas.

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