Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
22 April 2024 | 12:24 p.m. SAST
2-minute read
Image: Week4Palestine
The forthcoming Week 4 Palestine, an annual global event aimed at fostering solidarity for the Palestinian people, is slated to take place from May 1st to May 7th this year. Expected to be supported by all nine South African provinces as well as other countries in the world, this year’s event will focus on advocating for Palestinian liberation in the context of the South African general election set to be held on May 29th, 2024.
The significance of this theme was discussed by Fazela Mahomed, South Africa’s coordinator for Week for Palestine, during an interview on Radio Islam International.
The campaign seeks to encourage the South African electorate to make informed voting decisions based on political parties’ stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“What can we do to support the government’s actions in the ICJ for justice for people in Gaza? So we’re saying to people that this year, you have to make an important choice. We’ve asked all political parties to tell us whether they support the ICJ case, and also that they recognise that there is a genocide in Gaza. And on the basis of that, we’re saying to people, [to make voting choices]. It’s really important because there’s not much we can do as citizens of the country, but we can support the ICJ case in a massive way, and make sure that this continues, despite whoever comes to power in South Africa, and continues with the fight for the people of Gaza,” Mahomed notes.
The objectives of Week for Palestine 2024 align seamlessly with broader goals of advocating for justice, equality, freedom, and liberation for Palestinians.
In its inaugural year, the campaign has garnered widespread support, receiving endorsements from a diverse spectrum of entities, including political parties and civil society organisations. The endorsement list boasts nearly a hundred organisations, ranging from trade unions like COSATU to religious groups like the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC).
The campaign’s multifaceted approach encompasses raising awareness and fostering solidarity through a myriad of activities. Organisations are encouraged to participate by arranging events, sharing content on social media platforms, and endorsing the campaign through the official Week for Palestine Instagram page.
The international resonance of the campaign is evident in the spontaneous responses received from organisations across the globe, spanning from Zimbabwe to the United States.
The campaign underscores the power of the grassroots movement in advocating for Palestinian rights. Despite occasional challenges and non-responsiveness from certain quarters, the groundswell of support remains robust, with volunteers mobilising across provinces to spread awareness and garner endorsements.
Mahomed emphasises the inclusive nature of the campaign, welcoming endorsements from all political parties and groups interested in championing the cause of Palestine.
Addressing criticisms, Mahomed refutes claims of the campaign being driven by fundamentalist agendas, reaffirming its grassroots origins and broad-based support.
“Some of the criticism, internationally, from some of these right-wing conservative groups saying that it’s a fundamentalist Muslim group leading the government through the nose, is not true. This is a rooted grassroots campaign, and we see it in the massive support for Palestine,” Mahomed says.
Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Ibrahim Daya here.
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