Subdued Aidilfitri For Palestinians As Death Toll Tops 1,000 In Gaza

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- It will be a subdued Aidilfitri celebration for the Palestinian community here, in light of Israel's military operation in Gaza which has so far killed over 1,000 Palestinians.

At least eight members of the community here have had their family members killed in the brutal military offensive, according to Mohammad Alherbawi, the media director with the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia (PCOM).

"The Israeli war machine has deprived us from being happy on this holy day. However, we'll still celebrate Eid and gather to prove to the world that the Palestinian people deserve to live as people in other countries in the world," he told Bernama.

Mohammad said members of the community would gather for small-scale events featuring talks, as well as sessions tailored for the children.

He said there were currently about 3,000 Palestinians in Malaysia.

Sharing his views, Muslim Imran, who has been staying for about 10 years in Malaysia, admitted it would not be easy for any Palestinian to enjoy 'kuih raya' when their fellow countrymen were being massacred by the Zionist regime.

"Many Palestinians here have decided that the Eid celebration this year will be a small affair or called off altogether," said the PCOM board of directors chairman.

He said a special reception might be organised for the families of those killed in the Israeli offensive.

Meanwhile, Yayasan Al-Quds Malaysia executive director Mohammad Makram Balawi lambasted Tel Aviv for launching the attack during Ramadan, a blessed month that had been "smeared with the blood of the innocents".

"I harbour the hope that our children could once again celebrate Eid in a free Palestine and displaced Palestinians could return to our homeland. It would be a very happy time for all of us," said the Jordanian-born.

The PhD student at a local university here has stayed in Malaysia for the past five years with his wife and children.


Sumber - BERNAMA