The Sunday Mail
Religion Writer
PEOPLE from different religious backgrounds last Friday joined the Muslim community in remembering International Al-Quds Day which was set aside to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians while opposing Israel and zionism.
The annual event is a legacy of the late Islamic Republic of Iran founder, Imam Ruhollah Khomeini who designated the day in solidarity with Palestinians.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the International AL-Quds Day has been held worldwide on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world observed the holy month of Ramadan which ended on Wednesday.
Al-Quds Day, which was organised by the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Zimbabwe, Friends of Palestine and the Fatima Zahra Women’s Organisation saw Christians, Rastafari, and traditionalists, among other faith groups gather together at the Al Muhammad mosque to commemorate the day.
In his address, Friends of Palestine representative, Mr Robson Musarafu described the occupation of Palestine by Israel as illegitimate accusing some European forces for instigating and facilitating the impasse.
“The occupation of Palestine was spearheaded through the use of the Bible as a weapon of mass destruction to benefit from the sufferings of the people of Palestine,” Mr Musarafu said.
Reverend Matthew Tsine, who graced the event said the occupation of Palestine was more political than biblical as there was infringement of people’s rights.
“If human rights are infringed, it is not a biblical element as the Bible says that one should love their neighbour as they love themselves. The Israelites cannot justify their occupation of Palestine using biblical boundaries because they show a different map,” he said.
Israel has occupied Palestinian territory, namely the West Bank including East Jerusalem since the Six Day War of 1967. The war took place 19 years after the creation of Israel as a state with zionist militia taking over the majority of Palestine.
There was an outcry at the end of 2017 mainly in the Arab world after Israel’s strong ally United States, through its President Donald Trump, formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He did so by stating that the American embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
