By Wallace Mawire/Zimbabwe/Harare
The Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Network on Friday 13 March,2025 commemorated Al-Quds Day in solidarity with the tormented people of Palestine.
Al-Quds Day also knowen as International Jerusalem Day is an annual pro-Palestinian event held on the last Friday of Ramadan to express solidarity with Palestinians and oppose Israel’s control over Jerusalem.
Initiated by Iran in 1979, it features global rallies protesting zionism.
Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem. The last Friday of the month of Ramadan Islamic month of fasting was declared the international Quds day by Imam Ruhullah Khomeni, the first supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in 1979.
Since then, Muslims and peace loving people across the globe observe this day in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
In Zimbabwe the Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Network has been observing this day annually and this year’s commemorations comes at a time when Israel, supported by America and other western arrogant powers, continues to engage in the occupation and systematic oppression of the Palestinian people, violating international law and disregarding numerous United Nations resolutions, according to Sheik Henry Balakazi,Member of the Muslims Supreme Religious Council of Zimbabwe.
The event was graced by leaders and members of the Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council, Mapositori4ED, Fathers4ED, YoungMuslims4ED, Greater Harare Muslim women organization, Evangelical Bishops Conference, Tehila Christian Network, Annisaa (Women’s organization) and Local Muslim communities, just to mention a few.
The Ambassador of Iran in Zimbabwe His Excellency Amir Hossein Hossein and the ZANU PF leadership represented by Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa,Secretary for Information.
Ambassador Mutsvangwa said at the commemoration event held at the ZANU-PF Headquarters in Harare that the current war like state in the Middle East benefits no one, except those who do not want to remain populist.
He said the destruction which is going on among the belligerents, the collateral destruction which is going on in the surrounding region, is not good for the world, not good for humanity, not good for the countries themselves.
‘So one hopes that we can make recourse, especially the belligerent powers can make recourse, and genuinely converse with integrity and honesty, so that a common path to peace and stability can be established, for the benefit, like I say, of the neighboring countries, for the benefit of the region, and for the benefit of the global economy,’Ambassador Mutsvangwa said.
He said that this is the sincere hope which Zimbabwe has always wished.
‘You know that we, as the President says, we are friends with all, and then I go to Nigeria. It’s not too late, it’s not too late for the countries, Israel, Palestine itself, and all the neighboring countries, and all the Middle East countries, to shine a wave of war, and promote joy instead of war,’Mutsangwa said.
He said children in class are victims and the people with whom one should be interlocuting with also become victims.
‘And in the process address the issue of the Palestinian people in a holistic and fair and just manner. Because all humanity is created as the image of God, of Allah. You just heard from the reading of the Koran,’Mutsvangwa said.
Kwanisai Mafa, President of the Zimbwbwe Palestine Solidarity Network said Al-Quds is not merely a symbolic event, but a revolutionary reminder that the struggle for Palestine is a struggle against colonialism,racism,apartheid and imperial domination.
He said his network will continue to mobilise the people of Zimbabwe,the people of Africa and the progressive forces of the world to support the liberation of Palestine.
