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A 'March for Gaza' in Dhaka Saturday turned into human sea to protest Israel's brutal atrocities in the Palestinian land and vowed unwavering support for the oppressed Palestinians.
Tens of thousands of people of all strata thronged the historic Suhrawardy Udyan and adjoining areas in the city, calling for an end to the aggression that has reportedly left over 50,000 Palestinians dead, including an estimated 18,000 children.
Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh organised the rally, wherefrom speakers cutting across political parties and civil society sent in a clarion call for Arab states to sever ties with the Israel ruled by Netanyahu-led war cabinet and make a decisive move to end the aggression and secure Palestinian state.
They have shown an unprecedented solidarity of the country's people with the oppressed people of Palestine.
A declaration from the "March for Gaza" also urged countries around the world to cancel all types of agreements and ties with Israel.
The declaration also voiced sharp concerns not only about the ongoing genocide of Palestinians by Israeli forces but also about "the regional alignment of Hindutva India with Zionist oppression".
Urging immediate global action to halt the Israeli aggression in Gaza, Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, read out the declaration from the stage.
The declaration drew a straight line from Gaza's suffering to broader patterns of complicity, including India's recent interference in Muslim religious rights under the Waqf Property Act and its perceived ideological kinship with Israel's far-right agenda.
This linkage set the tone for what became a comprehensive call to action-directed at the United Nations, the Muslim world, the Bangladesh government, and the people themselves.
The readout argues that the violence in Gaza is not the failure of any one state but the result of a global breakdown, especially among powers that claim to uphold international justice.
The rally condemned Western nations that continue to arm and finance Israel, accusing them of enabling genocide under the guise of diplomacy.
"The mask of justice worn by the global order," Mr Rahman said, "has fallen off in the rubble of Gaza."
A clear call was made for the United Nations to pursue the trial of Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice and to enforce meaningful, not symbolic, action to stop the killings.
The declaration also demands the return of pre-1967 Palestinian lands, the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and the re-establishment of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and sovereignty.
The gathering turned its attention to the Muslim Ummah, expressing collective disappointment at what it called a "painful reflection of our failures."
Protest leaders described the silence of Muslim-majority governments as a betrayal of the responsibility they bear under both faith and history.
They urged countries of the Islamic world to immediately sever diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, impose sanctions, and launch full-scale support missions -- including food, medical, housing, and defence assistance -- for Palestinians.
Drawing attention of the government of Bangladesh, speakers emphasized that Bangladesh, born from a liberation war against injustices, has a historical and moral duty to stand with Gaza.
They demanded the reinstatement of the "valid for all countries of the world except Israel" clause in Bangladeshi passports, a complete ban on deals involving Israeli entities, and a state-sponsored campaign to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Protesters also called for an official boycott of products tied to Israeli interests and a government-level condemnation of India's anti-Muslim policies.
The speakers warned that if Bangladesh's people failed to awake now, they risked witnessing their own land become a "new Gaza" under the influence of rising regional extremism.
The events began with the recitation from the holy Quran by renowned Qari Ahmad bin Yusuf.
Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram Mufti Abdul Malek presided over the rally.
Prominent religious scholars, including Sheikh Ahmadullah and Maulana Mizanur Rahman Azhari, addressed the crowd.
They urged the participants to maintain order while raising powerful slogans in support of Palestine.
Thousands of Palestinian flags fluttered in the air.
They chanted slogans in favour of Palestinian people that reverberated across the venue, creating an electrifying atmosphere of unity and resolve.
Visiting the venue the FE correspondent found by 2:00pm, the sprawling Suhrawardy Udyan already filled to its brim.
Surrounding areas like Shahbagh, Dhaka University campus, Ramna Park, Doyel Chattar, Purana Paltan and Gulistan also witnessed significant number of people expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Unlike traditional rallies, this event did not feature speeches from dignitaries or political leaders.
At 4:15 pm, the mass gathering concluded with a collective prayer led by Mufti Abdul Malek.
The prayer served as a poignant reminder of the shared humanity that binds people across borders and religions.
As the event drew to a close, a profound sense of love, compassion, and solidarity for the Palestinian people remained etched in the hearts of millions who attended.
Earlier, thousands of people from across the country gathered at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city for attending 'March for Gaza' programme aimed at protesting against the Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
People from all walks of life took part in the programme with processions.
They were seen carrying the flag of Palestine and placards inscribed with slogans against Israeli genocide in Gaza.
"Our goal is to draw the attention of world to the mass killing in Gaza," said Md Minhaz, a college student in Shahbagh area in the city.
Along with the common people, political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) and UP Bangladesh, Qawmi madrasah-based organisation Hefazat Islam, and various social and religious organisations participated in the programme.
The 'March for Gaza' witnessed participation on an extraordinary scale, with several hundred thousand people attending to express their solidarity with Palestine. The sheer magnitude of the turnout reflected not only Bangladesh's deep empathy for the Palestinian struggle but also its determination to amplify global calls for justice and peace.
Meanwhile, a significant number of women also participated in the March- for -Gaza programme to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza.
A woman who identified herself as Lamia told the FE at Shahbagh that she along with her many colleagues came from Ibne Sina Nursing Institute to participate in the programme.
She said that as a Muslim it is the scared responsibility for all ( Muslims) to protest the Israeli brutality in Gaza.
Apart from the participants of Ibne Sina Nursing Institute, women of different ages, including colleges and universities, wearing ordinary attires, also participated.
Thousands of people from different areas of the capital and also from adjoining districts outside of the capital also participated in the programme, making the capital, Dhaka, a sea of crowds.
Meanwhile, the selling of Palestinian Flags and ribbons prescribed with 'Kalema Sahadat' sold significantly in the city. A Palestinian flag was sold between Tk 100 and Tk 150 while ribbon used headband ranged from Tk 20 to Tk 20. Gulistan, Puran Paltan , Shahbagh, TSC and Suhrawardy Uddayan areas witnessed selling of Palestinian flags and ribbons.
A salesman who identified himself as Quddus told the FE that in Gulistan area that he had sold Palestinian flags and ribbons worth over Tk 7,000 on Saturday.
Deputy commissioner (Media and Public Relations) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said that additional security arrangements were taken on the occasion of Saturday's event for ensuring law and order.
"Traffic police also took measures, including diversion on certain roads, to manage traffic flow."
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