By Waaqiah Jaffer
Following the massacre of Palestinians in the Middle East by Israel last week members of the “Africa for Palestine Solidarity Network “in Kimberley gathered at the ‘Honoured Dead Memorial’ monument for a solidarity rally last Friday.
They were supported by members of the African National Congress (ANC), Northern Cape Ulama Council (NCUC), the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO), Pakistan Association of South Africa, Northern Cape Branch and the Kimberley Islamic School also showed their support for Palestine.
Prior to this event the pro-Palestinian marches had held religious programmes the previous day at the Pniel Road mosque. This was followed up the next day with a public discussion at 8am at the Islamic School. There were also radio interviews and discussions about the Palestinian history.
Whilst the conflict was raging between Palestine and Israel latter that day in Kimberley the solidarity marches arrived at the “Honored Dead” monument with Palestinian flags, keffiyeh shawls and posters with inscriptions saying: “Free Palestine, Protect the children of Gaza, No justice no peace” and “we stand with Palestine”. The slogan “Free Palestine” was proudly chanted by the protesters.
According to the chairperson of the Northern Cape Ulama Council, Moulana Adam Feltman, “the purpose of the rally was to stand in solidarity with Palestine due to the fact that they have been living under the Israeli occupation for 75 years. This event was a response to the daily killings, collective punishment and current genocide that Palestinians are facing.
The community’s intention was to appeal to the South African government to intervene in the Palestine-Israeli conflict. Furthermore, the protest was to advocate that the west should give this matter the same attention as they did with Russia and Ukraine”.
The community of Kimberley were encouraged to keep Palestine in their prayers while the muslim community were encouraged to fast on Thursdays.
On Thursday this week a mass iftar (breaking of the fast) took place at Masjidul Muawiya, Homestead with a special focus on extending heartfelt prayers for the people of Palestine.
Those in attendance passionately stated that South Africans and Palestinians both share similar struggles of Apartheid.
“But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
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