Try Israel for genocide

A mammoth rally in the capital yesterday protested the Israeli atrocities in Gaza and called for the recognition of Palestine as a state and Israel's trial for genocide.

A declaration from the event titled the March for Gaza urged countries around the world to sever all types of agreements and ties with Israel.

Organised by a platform named Palestine Solidarity Movement, Bangladesh, the rally was attended by a massive number of people including leaders of major political parties, Islamic groups and scholars and people from a cross-section of the society.

Asking for immediate global action, Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, read out the declaration at the rally in the Suhrawardy Udyan.

"We believe Palestine is not merely a territory, it is part of the identity of the Muslim Ummah. And Gaza is not just a war-torn city. It is a painful reflection of our collective failure," reads the declaration.

The rally was a powerful display of solidarity and unity, with a gigantic Palestinian tricolour taking the centre stage at the venue.

People had started to gather at the venue from the morning. By noon, the entire 95-acre Suhrawardy Udyan was teeming with people, many of whom wore the iconic chequered keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance immortalised by Yasser Arafat.

They pledged unwavering support for the cause as the Palestinian tricolour and the Bangladeshi Red and Green fluttered side by side, creating a striking visual of camaraderie.

Tens of thousands chanted "Naraye Takbir, Allahu Akbar", "Free, Free Palestine", and the resonant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".

The crowd also raised their voices against atrocities with slogans like "One, two, three, four, genocide no more."

The venue was adorned with colourful banners and festoons, each carrying messages of hope, resistance, and solidarity.

As the crowd swelled beyond capacity, the organisers had to make an announcement to halt further processions into the Suhrawardy Udyan.

But by then, the rally had gathered an unstoppable momentum and people kept joining it—many climbed trees to catch a glimpse of the stage, refusing to miss out on this historic moment.

The people pledged unwavering support for the cause as the Palestinian tricolour and the Bangladeshi Red and Green fluttered side by side, creating a striking visual of camaraderie.

As the event drew to a close, thousands who couldn't find space at the venue began to disperse.

Police said that although it was a weekend, the demonstration impacted traffic on almost all major roads in the capital, leading to severe congestion in many areas.

Some streets, however, remained relatively empty.

The rally, moderated by Maulana Abdul Hye Mohammad Saifullah, began around 3:15pm with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the screening of a documentary on atrocities of Israel.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salah Uddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Syed Faizul Karim, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Mawlana Sakhawat Hossain Raji, Ameer of Khelafat Majlish Mawlana Mamunul Haque, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur and Chief Organiser (Southern Region) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Hasnat Abdullah, attended the programme.

Ilias Kanchan, founder and chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai, Chhatra Shibir President Zahedul Islam and others were present on stage.

Islamic speaker Mizanur Rahman Azhari and As-Sunnah Foundation Chairperson Sheikh Ahmadullah spoke at the programme.

Ahmadullah said people of all political stripes, ideologies, and schools of thought in Bangladesh stood in solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza.

"Today, by standing together, we want to show the world that although we may have differences in opinion and ideology, every person in Bangladesh, regardless of religion or ethnicity, expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people's right to freedom and ownership of their land," said Ahmadullah.

Azhari said, "Geographically, we may be far from Palestine, but today's sea of people proves that every heart here carries a Palestine, every heart carries a Gaza, every heart carries an Al-Quds."

He described the crowd as a powerful expression of Bangladesh's love for Palestine and Al-Aqsa.

In a unique protest performance near Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts, a person wearing a mask of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked with a bowl of symbolic blood in his hands, his body covered in blood.

Beside him, another performer with a US President Donald Trump mask walked in support of Netanyahu, also stained with blood-like marks.

Meanwhile, performers dressed as Arab leaders hovered around them, kissing their hands and showing submission.

Trailing behind them were symbolic corpses wrapped in shrouds, meant to represent Palestinian victims, which were being dragged by Netanyahu, Trump, and the compliant Arab leaders.

One of the organisers said, "The occupying Israeli forces are committing genocide in Palestine with direct support from the Trump administration. The heads of Arab states remain completely indifferent despite witnessing these atrocities."

DECLARATION

The declaration called for a return to pre-1967 borders, international recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, an end to temporary ceasefire rhetoric in favour of concrete and a clear resolution to guarantee the security and sovereignty of Palestine.

It also called on leaders of the Muslim world to cancel all existing agreements with Israel and cut diplomatic relations, impose trade embargoes and sanctions against Israel.

The declaration urged the Muslim community across the world to launch an active diplomatic campaign to isolate Israel.

They also demanded effective diplomatic stands against the state aggression under Hindutva rule in India, especially regarding the interference in Waqf laws and the denial of Muslim rights.

The declaration called upon the Bangladesh government to reinstate the 'Except Israel' clause in Bangladeshi passports and affirm the state's position of not recognising Israel as a state.

It also urged the government to revoke the agreements signed with all Israeli organisations.

"As a democratic state, the government has a responsibility to honour the moral convictions and aspirations of its people," it said, adding, "The people of Bangladesh have pledged solidarity with Gaza."

The declaration also called for implementing effective state-level measures to deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza.

It demanded that the government instruct all government institutions and import authorities to avoid products from Israel-affiliated companies.

The declaration urged the government to officially protest the persecution of Muslims and other minorities in India, alleging its alignment with the global Zionist agenda.

It also called for ensuring that the textbooks and national curricula include the history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian resistance.

After the declaration, the event was concluded through a special prayer session led by Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

Since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its offensive in Gaza, at least 50,933 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the tiny territory.

According to the United Nations, the offensive has left Gaza in ruins. It destroyed or damaged 69 percent of all structures in Gaza. At least 68 percent of the road network in the strip had been damaged or destroyed.