On Friday, Palestine supporters all over the world will mark “Al-Quds Day” as Israel continues its assaults on Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution.
Right here's what you must know in regards to the occasion, its historical past and its which means.
What’s Al-Quds Day?
Al-Quds Day (or, merely, “Quds Day”) is an annual worldwide day to precise help for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Giant demonstrations are held, often beginning after communal Friday prayers.
The primary supreme chief of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini, established Quds Day in 1979 shortly after the Iranian Revolution to point out solidarity with the Palestinians and reject the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem. It has since turn into an emblem of resistance.
Some observers claimed that the occasion was initiated by Iran to advertise its political pursuits of utilizing proxies to battle in opposition to Israel and the Western powers.
In an announcement on Quds Day this yr, Iran's overseas ministry mentioned the occasion has “now turn into an emblem of the unity of your complete humanity.” He additionally condemned the USA and Western states for supporting Israel in its conflict on Gaza.
When is Quds Day?
It’s held yearly on the final Friday of Ramadan – this yr, April 5. The holy month of Ramadan, throughout which Muslims quick from daybreak to nightfall daily of the month, happens within the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The place does the title “Al-Quds” come from?
“Al-Quds” or “Quds” is the Arabic title for Jerusalem. Subsequently, this occasion can also be referred to as “Jerusalem day”.
In Arabic, the phrase “al-Quds” interprets to “the holy”.
Town of Jerusalem is holy to all three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque can also be the third holiest mosque in Islam and has been topic to raids and entry restrictions by Israeli forces through the years, together with through the present month of Ramadan.
How do individuals all over the world mark Quds Day?
Peaceable mass protests and demonstrations are held in lots of international locations all over the world, particularly in these with sturdy pro-Palestinian communities.
The most important Quds Day demonstrations will probably be held in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan and the occupied West Financial institution, whereas demonstrations may additionally happen in different international locations reminiscent of India, Bahrain, South Africa and Morocco, in keeping with Crisis24 . , a worldwide intelligence group.
Lately, a whole lot of individuals have additionally demonstrated in Western international locations together with the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia.
These gatherings will not be restricted to Muslims. Individuals of different religions, together with Jews and Christians, additionally joined. Contributors within the demonstrations additionally generally chanted anti-Israel and anti-US slogans, whereas burning and trampling Israeli flags.
This yr, a big funeral may even be held in Tehran for members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who had been killed by an Israeli assault in Damascus, Syria.
Iran has additionally used the demonstration through the years to showcase its navy would possibly. In 2022, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps displayed a number of kinds of domestically developed missiles, together with a current Khaibar Buster missile, in numerous areas of Tehran.
Is there a threat of violence or dysfunction through the Quds Day protests?
In London, the place peaceable Quds Day protests have been held for greater than 40 years, a number of pro-Palestinian organizations have written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, urging them to desert “heavy-handed ways” throughout this yr's march.
For the reason that begin of Israel's conflict in Gaza, many pro-Palestine marches and protests have taken place. Nonetheless, “the Metropolitan Police abused their authorized powers to harass pro-Palestinian protesters,” mentioned an announcement from the Islamic Human Rights Fee (IHRC) within the UK.
Again in 2017, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, requested Dwelling Secretary Amber Rudd to ban Quds Day marches. Nonetheless, he rejected the request, saying that individuals needs to be allowed to protest peacefully and present their opinions “nonetheless uncomfortable these could also be for many of us”.
Quds Day protesters are sometimes vulnerable to police and navy brutality. In 2009 and 2014, the Nigerian armed forces launched lethal assaults on Quds Day demonstrations held within the northern metropolis of Zaria, in keeping with IHRC (PDF).
In 2009, 1000’s of protesters in Iran used Quds Day marches to protest in opposition to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed election victory. In some cities, the police stood on the sidelines of those actions. In others, reminiscent of Shiraz and Tehran, there have been experiences of arrests and tear fuel fired into crowds.
In 2010, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed accountability for a suicide bombing throughout a Quds Day procession of Shiite Muslims. The assault within the Pakistani metropolis of Quetta killed no less than 65 individuals and injured greater than 100. Shia Muslims are sometimes the goal of sectarian preventing in Pakistan the place Sunni Muslims type an amazing majority.
