Citizens Call for Mass Rally in Support of Palestine

Sep 29, 2008 (The Independent/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- DIDCF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Representatives of several organizations in Sierra Leone have called for mass rallies in support of the Palestinian people in their struggle against Israeli occupation of their land.

At the commemoration of International Quds Day on September 25, in the capital Freetown , messages of empathy with the Palestinian People were registered by various organizations and individuals. A representative of IDEAL Organization, and journalist, Hindolo Fomolu, Reverend Solomon Butcher an evangelist, Mohamed Koroma of the Pan African Union (PANAFU) and Richard Tom Haziz, a cop from the Police Training School, were among the notable speakers, who called for mass rallies in support of the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. Quds Day was declared by the late Imam Khomeini founder of the Islamic Revolution in Iran as a day of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Alfred Hindolo Fomolu said, "Each time I hear of the Palestinian issue, my heart bleeds". He suggested that next time when Quds Day would be observed, both Muslims and Christians should make placards and march through the streets of towns in the country as a way of manifesting support for the Palestinian struggle.

A staff of The New Vision newspaper John Momoh said there had been double standards in the application of human rights principles. "The Palestinians too, have their rights", he said.

Reverend Hindolo Solomon Butcher said the Palestinian cause was not only for Muslims. "We must pre ach in the mosques and churches about the Palestinian issue. We must march on the streets of Sierra Leone to manifest our support for Palestine ", he declared.

Mohamed Koroma of the Pan African Union (PANAFU) said, "We (PANAFU) are in total solidarity with the Palestinians". Quoting Martin Luther King Junior, he said, "Injustice everywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". He said Quds day should be used to enlighten Sierra Leoneans on the Palestinian crisis.

Richard Tom Haziz, a cop from the Sierra Leone Police Training School said, "The crisis has made Muslims and Chrtians victims of Zionism".

Mr. Abu Rhobinson Fofana said the Palestinian issue required the support of all countries in the world.

Mrs Habibatu Kallon, a teacher of the United Muslim Association Secondary School in Freetown extended sympathy on behalf of her colleagues to the Palestinian people.

Issa Sesay called for unity of efforts in solidarising with the Palestinians.

Alpha Jalloh, a journalist elaborated on the history of the crisis. He said it started with the massive purchasing of lands in the early 1900s and the situation worsened by 1945 when more Jews were brought to the land. He pointed out that the double standard of Britain exacerbated the situation. He said the issue affected both Christians and Muslims.

Sheikh Ahmad Tejan Sillah Chief Imam of the Freetown Central Mosque spoke on the significance of Quds Day. He also said that the problem started in the early 1900s when Jews started massive purchasing of lands in Palestine and added that the situation became volatile after Second World War. According to him, the Al-Aqsa Mosque which has become the center of contention among Israelis and Palestinians belongs to the whole world. "Solidarity with the Palestinians will help them succeed in their struggle against Zionism", he said. He used the opportunity to inform the gathering that the Catholic Church in Sierra Leone had sent a congratulatory message Muslims at the end of the Ramadan.

A Muslim cleric Sheikh Maju stressed that the Day was significant to all civil right activists in the world. "It has to do with people's right to sovereignty", he said.

The Iranian ambassador to Sierra Leone Dr. Nasralla Maliki said Quds Day was declared by Imam Khomeini so as to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle against oppression. " Iran is cognizant of the fact that with strong will of the people and faith, they (Palestinians), will succeed.

The Cultural Chancellor of the Iranian Cultural Consulate Mohamed Reza Ghezel Sofla said celebration of Quds Day unites the peoples of the world with Palestinians. "Palestinians have suffered for more than 60 years. Many have been displaced", he said He called it a "humanitarian duty" to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Sheikh Ahmad Tejan Fofana of Bhaitul Mal urged Sierra Leoneans to be hard working and avoid violent acts.

Alhaji Sallieu Bangura of the Sierra Leone Libya Friendship Society called on all Muslims to pray for the liberation of Palestine . "We condemn the occupation of Palestine ", he declared. Similar sentiments were expressed by other individuals from different parts of the country

More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index