Israel-Gaza war: thousands rally in Malaysia in support of Palestine as conflict mounts
- About 15,000 people, including former PM Muhyiddin Yassin, gathered at the national mosque in Kuala Lumpur to condemn Israel’s offensive in Gaza
- Mosques in Indonesia also conducted special prayers to ask for God’s help so that ‘the conflict in the Gaza Strip would end quickly’
Thousands of Malaysians rallied at mosques across the country after Friday prayers in support of Palestine, waving flags and carrying placards condemning Israel’s military action in Gaza, which so far has killed hundreds of civilians in retaliation for last weekend’s bloody attack by Hamas militants.
Southeast Asia’s Muslim-majority nations historically align with Palestine, demanding a two-state solution to the Middle East crisis that allows the formation of a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
At least 15,000 people gathered at the national mosque in Kuala Lumpur, draped in scarves and carrying Palestinian flags as they chanted “Free Palestine” after Friday prayers.
They also railed against Israel and some protesters burned an Israeli flag.
Some of the speakers at the rally celebrated Hamas’s deadly assault on Israel, which two-time premier and long-time Palestine supporter Mahathir Mohamad said was unavoidable as the Islamists “had no other way” to counter Israel’s “atrocities” towards the Palestinian people.