Al-Quds Day as Momentum of Unity and Solidarity for Palestine

Jakarta, MINA – International Al-Quds Day is an annual event held on the last Friday of each Ramadan month. People took to the streets to show support for Palestinian people.

The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, Timor Leste and ASEAN, Valiollah Mohammadi called on international community to rise up and unite to liberate Palestine from colonialism.

“We must be more active, take to the streets voicing support for Palestine, if president supports, government supports, of course people will also participate on it,” Valiollah said during an exclusive interview with MINA reporters on Tuesday.

Valiollah explained that Al-Quds Day was first triggered by an Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Khomeini. Imam Khomeini stated that one of the goals of Iranian revolution was to liberate Palestine from colonialism and not recognize the Israeli occupation.

“After the revolution, Imam Khomeini said we must announce one day where all Muslims in the world and non-Muslims who love Palestine can voice their support,” Valiollah said.

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With the start of a new round of Israeli attacks on South Lebanon, Khomeini at 13 Ramadan 1399 or August 7, 1979 issued an official statement that the last Friday of Ramadan was designated as International Al-Quds Day.

“We can imagine that in one day all Muslims in various countries voiced support for Palestine, especially in the month of Ramadan, where that month we become guests of Allah, and Friday in Ramadan is different from usual days,” he added.

Although the fasting time in Iran is long and hot, but during the Al-Quds Day later, Valiollah said Iranian people would be enthusiastic about going down to the road voicing their support for Palestine.

He compared the heavier struggle of Palestinians who even fought every Friday on the border walls to claim their land rights.

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According to him, the decision of United States (US) to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel was a big mistake that damaged all agreements and talks.

In fact, he said that Israel and the US would never accept the two-state solution that had been voiced internationally, as evidenced by the continued occupation and annexation.

Iran used to have close relations with Israel, but after Islamic revolution, Iran cut off diplomatic relations with Israel and then the embassy was given to Palestine.

“At the same time we cut ties with Israel, we believe Israel is the same country (apartheid, racist), look at Palestinians, they (Israel) came then built a government there, after controlling land, house, they attacked the Palestinian people, that it is not in accordance with Islamic teachings, “Valiollah said.

After 40 years of being declared, Al-Quds Day has now become a culture and a tradition. Until last year, it was estimated that more than 80 countries participated on it.

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In 2018, Al-Quds Day was celebrated in countries such as Malaysia, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey, United States, Canada, Norway, Azerbaijan, Sudan, England, Bahrain, Bosnia, Tunisia, Pakistan, Australia, Germany, Romania , Kuwait, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Venezuela, Albania, Yemen and Greece.

Meanwhile, this year’s Al-Quds Day is expected to fall on Friday, May 31, 2019. Activists estimate the number of masses at this year’s commemoration will be greater than in previous years.

Valiollah also appreciates Indonesian government and Indonesian Foreign Minister who continue to support for Palestine in the UN Security Council or in other international forums.

Finally, Valiollah calls on Muslims to unite, have a dialogue, hold a meeting, because the only thing to solve is the current problem not with the military or anything except unity against the colonialism. (L/Sj/P2).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)