'March for Gaza': Declaration from protest in Dhaka urges Muslim countries to cancel all deals and ties with Israel
Speakers have demanded the reinstatement of the “Except Israel” clause in Bangladeshi passports
Highlights:
- Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman read out the declaration at the rally
- Speakers urge govt to revoke all agreements with Israeli organisations
- Call for immediate state-level humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza
- Protest declaration seeks nationwide boycott of products from Zionist-affiliated companies
- Demand for inclusion of Palestinian history and the Al-Aqsa struggle in national textbooks
- Notable political, religious, and sports figures express solidarity
- National cricket team players join support for Gaza
- Khatib of National Mosque Baitul Mukarram presided over the gathering
Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched to Suhrawardy Udyan today (12 April) in solidarity with Palestinians who are undergoing an alleged genocide in Gaza since October 2023.
Leaders of political parties and organisations at the event called on the Muslim world leaders to cancel all existing agreements with Israel and sever diplomatic relations.
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The event ended with a declaration urging immediate global action to halt the Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Notable religious figures such as Shaykh Ahmadullah, the chairman of As-Sunnah Foundation, and Islamic speaker Mizanur Rahman Azhari addressed the rally.
Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, read out the declaration from the stage. Muhammad Abdul Malek, the khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, presided over the rally.
"We may have differences of opinion and thought among ourselves. But a free Palestine is the rightful claim of its people. In protest against the oppression on the people of Gaza, we, Bangladeshis—regardless of religion or ethnicity—stand in solidarity with them," Shaykh Ahmadullah said.
Mizanur Rahman Azhari said, "Our presence at this mammoth gathering proves the deep love of the Bangladeshi people towards Palestine… Geographically we are far from Palestine, yet each of us carries a Palestine within our hearts; a Gaza resides in our chests."
The rally chanted slogans various slogans such as - "Free, free Palestine;" "One, two, three, four—genocide no more;" "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "Why genocide in Gaza? UN, we demand an answer!"
Speakers at the rally demanded the reinstatement of the "Except Israel" clause in Bangladeshi passports, emphasising Bangladesh's historical stance of opposing injustice against the Palestinians.
Reading out the declaration, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman said, "Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority nation whose independence was rooted in resistance against oppression, holds a significant position in the global struggle for justice — especially in the context of Palestine."
"As a democratic state, the government has a responsibility to honour the moral convictions and aspirations of its people," he said, adding, "The people of Bangladesh have pledged solidarity with Gaza."
The declaration called upon the government of Bangladesh to reinstate the 'Except Israel' clause in Bangladeshi passports and affirm the state's position of not recognising Israel.
It also urged the government to revoke all agreements signed with all Israeli organisations.
The declaration also called for implementing effective state-level measures to deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza.
It demanded that the government should give instruction to all government institutions and import authorities to avoid products from Zionist-affiliated companies.
The declaration from the protest urged the government to launch official protests against the persecution of Muslims and other minorities under the Indian government, highlighting its alignment with the global Zionist agenda.
It also called for ensuring textbooks and national curricula include the history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Palestinian resistance, and the broader Muslim struggle.
The "March for Gaza" rally started at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan at 3pm with people from all walks of life attending and protesting Israel's continued invasion of Palestine.
Although the main event was scheduled for 3pm, people flocked to every gate of Suhrawardy Udyan since morning with small and large processions from Shahbag, Doel Chattar, and Nilkhet areas and different parts of the capital ahead of schedule.
They were chanting slogans like "Free Palestine", "Stop the Israeli aggression, it must be done", "Boycott Israeli products, boycott", etc.
Participants in the procession carried flags of Bangladesh and Palestine.
Earlier in the day, organisers called on everyone to participate in this programme regardless of political affiliation.
Meanwhile, prominent figures from various religious, social, political, cultural, and sports sectors have expressed solidarity with this program through video messages.
From political organisations, video messages were sent by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Senior Nayeb-e-Amir Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim and Senior Joint Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman (Manju), Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Kader, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Amir Maulana Mamunul Haq.
National cricket team players Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Nahid Rana, and Taijul Islam have likewise expressed solidarity with the cause.
Other political figures showing support include Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Sakhawat Hossain Razi, Gonoadhikar Parishad Nurul Haq and General Secretary Md Rashed Khan and National Citizen Party (NCP) Southern Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah.
From the media and education sectors, Buet Lecturer and popular YouTuber Enayet Chowdhury, Daffodil International University Professor Moktar Ahmed, Dr Jahangir Kabir, Presenter RJ Kibria, Entrepreneur Mahmudul Hasan Sohag, Actor Tamim Mridha, and Ten Minute School Founder Ayman Sadiq have also shown their support.
Religious leaders who expressed solidarity include Ad-Din Foundation Executive Director Sheikh Mohiuddin, National Ulama Mashayekh Aimma Parishad General Secretary Rezaul Karim Abrar, Islamic speaker Abdul Hai Muhammad Saifullah, and Jhalakathi Nesarabadi Darbar Sharif's Pir Saheb Allama Khalilur Rahman Nesarabadi.
Additionally, video messages were sent from Islami Chhatra Shibir's Central President Zahidul Islam, Publication Secretary Md Abu Sadik Kayem, and Dhaka University Branch President SM Farhad, among others.
