Malaysian support motivates Palestinians to defend Jerusalem

PUTRAJAYA: All the six panellists of a special forum at the Putra Mosque here today voiced their support for Palestine and expressed opposition to the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
One of the panellists, Palestine Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Dr Anwar Al-Agha, said Palestine would never give up Jerusalem as its capital with the support given by Malaysians, especially through the 'Save Jerusalem' White Solidarity Rally at the Putra Mosque. The rally was held after the forum and Friday prayers.
Anwar said the support of Malaysians led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak would motivate the Palestinians to defend Jerusalem.
"Today is a great day for Malaysia and Palestine. Satu Malaysia, Satu Palestin (One Malaysia, One Palestine). I hope one day Malaysians can go and pray there (in Jerusalem) without Israeli intervention," he said.
Another panellist, Islamiah Dakwah Foundation of Malaysia (Yadim) president Dr Yusri Mohamad, said the United States' action in supporting the cruel acts of Israel was proof of the arrogance of the major power.
"We are also witnesses to the arrogant stance of the United States towards the nations supporting Palestine. The United States has threatened them (that it will cut off financial aid). The United States is putting pressure on sovereign states in the United Nations.
"The world has seen such arrogance over the past 70 years and it is unacceptable," he said.
Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, another of the panellists, proposed that Malaysia be the coordinating centre for the Palestinian diaspora.
"This will help the Palestinians shape the future well-being of the nation," he said.
He explained that this was one of the efforts that could be taken in helping the Palestinians, besides NGOs staging protests against the Jewish atrocities and talks by the government through the diplomatic channels.
Panellist Dr Muhammad Faiz Na'aman said three solidarity groups were involved in the rally and they could jointly send a clear message to the world that the international community strongly opposed the United States' recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The groups were associated with solidarity among Muslims, solidarity with other religions, and solidarity based on the humanitarian aspect, he said.
He said Muslims should set aside all differences and unite to focus on the effort to defend Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest city.
"It is most shameful and saddening when the brotherhood among Muslims is not strong and the enemies of Islam can easily grab our rights," he said.
Muhammad Faiz said other religious leaders around the world had also expressed solidarity with the Palestinians, besides the solidarity based on the humanitarian aspect around the world against the oppression by the Zionist regime. — Bernama