Najib leads 10,000 in solidarity rally on Jerusalem issue
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday led more than 10,000 Malaysians in a rally of solidarity with the Palestinians in protesting against the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The ‘ Save Jerusalem’ White Solidarity Rally, held at the Putra Mosque, comprised mainly Muslims as well as people of other religions who came as members of NGOs and in their individual capacity.
The rally was preceded by the Friday prayers and a ‘ hajat’ prayers of need as well as a ‘Save Jerusalem’ forum comprising a six-member panel.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, several other Cabinet ministers and the Palestine Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Dr Anwar H AlAgha were also present.
The forum, prayers and rally came a day after an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly saw 128 nations vote in favour of a UN resolution calling for the United States to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Nine countries voted against the resolution while 35 others abstained.
Addressing the rally at the Putra Mosque, Najib emphasised that he would never pawn the principle of the sanctity of Islam and that he would continue to defend Jerusalem.
He said that though he had cordial relations with United States President Donald Trump and was well-received on a recent visit to the United States, he gave priority to the first principle in the ‘maqasid syariah’ of safeguarding Islam.
He said Jerusalem, as the third holiest city of Islam, should be safeguarded from the grip of the Zionist regime.
“This is not an option. In other issues, we have a choice but not in this one. It is mandatory that we oppose them; it is mandatory that we remain united,” he said.
Najib said Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec 6 should be opposed by the 1.6 billion Muslims around the world and they should not submit to the 13 million Jews.
“I am convinced that after today’s rally, we would have sent a clear message to the world that the Muslims in Malaysia are united. We will do the needful,” he said.
Najib said Malaysia did not go begging to any country, including the United States despite it being a major power.
“Do not insult Malaysia. We have our dignity. We have a little strength as well. We are not weak, what more when Muslims in the country are united. I take pride in saying that we have non-Muslims in our rally,” he said.
Najib also shared three things which he said were the basis of Malaysia’s stand on the Jerusalem issue at the recent extraordinary summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation.
“Our stand is firm and consistent. We support the continuing efforts for a free and sovereign Palestinian state and it must return to the borders before 1967. We do not want a shrinking Palestine. We want East Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine.
“We will not budge from these three things no matter what,” he said.
Najib also announced that solidarity gatherings would be held at every mosque in the country on the third week of every month to inspire the spirit of defending Jerusalem.
“We will champion this issue in various diplomatic channels, through politics and financial contributions and conduct prayers so that Jerusalem will one day belong to the Palestinians.
“I yearn to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque one day but I do not want to do it by having to seek the permission of the Zionist regime as is the case today,” he said. — Bernama
This is not an option. In other issues, we have a choice but not in this one. It is mandatory that we oppose them; it is mandatory that we remain united. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister