‘Join rally against US decision’
Put up united front in protest against Jerusalem move, public urged
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian leaders have called on all citizens to put aside their differences and show a united front by attending today’s solidarity rally to protest the United States’ decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took to Twitter to urge Malaysians to attend today’s rally at Putra Mosque, which is expected to be attended by about 10,000 people.
“God willing, I will be attending the ‘Save Jerusalem Solidarity Rally’ at Masjid Putra after Friday prayers.
“Let us all come together and show our support and solidarity to oppose all efforts to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital!” he tweeted.
International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, who is also Umno supreme council member, also urged Malaysians to attend.
“Put aside your differences. Show your solidarity. Save Jerusalem. Postpone your programmes. Let us all go to Masjid Putra, Putrajaya on Friday, 22/12/17.
“Together, let us all as Malaysians rise to show our brotherhood and pray for the struggles of our fellow Muslims in Palestine,” Ahmad tweeted.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa retweeted a previous post by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, which called for all Malaysians to join the rally.
“Let’s go together and support the solidarity rally in support of Jerusalem,” Annuar wrote in his tweet.
The “Solidarity to Save Jerusalem” rally, to be held at Putra Mosque, is organised by the Barisan Nasional government.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, however, said all political parties regardless of their affiliation, as well as NGOs representing various races and religions are invited to attend the rally.
The event will begin with a special forum at noon, in which leaders representing parties from both Barisan and the Opposition are slated to speak.
The panel members for the forum are Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR), Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Amanah), Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor (Pribumi), Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS) and Dr Yusri Mohamad from Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim).
National Dakwah Council chairman Prof Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Abd Majid will moderate the forum.
The Mufti of the Federal Territories, Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad, will be giving a special sermon on the issue during the Friday prayers.
After the Friday prayers, Najib and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also International Union of Muslim Scholars’ vicepresident, will be giving speeches.
Najib is expected to announce a resolution on the Jerusalem issue during the rally.
The rally is being held following the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The move has sparked anger and protests from many countries.
Meanwhile, the main roads to Putra Mosque will be closed from 9am today in conjunction with the gathering.
The roads include Jambatan Putra and Laman Perdana near the Perdana Putra Building.
Putrajaya OCPD ACP Rosly Hassan said to avoid traffic congestion, the public is advised to park their vehicles at the Palace of Justice, Dataran Monumen and at the open area in front of the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque before taking shuttle buses to Putra Mosque.
“Four shuttle buses are provided during the event,” he said.
ACP Rosly said besides the three main locations, the people could also park their vehicles at the Finance Ministry’s boulevard, situated some 500m from Putra Mosque.