BUKIT JALIL, Oct 8 — “My heart is sincere to show solidarity with the GSF volunteers and the Palestinians,” said 20-year-old student Asyraf Syahmi Ahmad Khalid as he held up a massive black “Sumud Nusantara” flag and a Palestinian flag outside the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil this evening.
He was among thousands who began gathering as early as 4pm for the “Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza” rally, which is scheduled to start at 8pm.
The crowd, made up of students, civil servants, activists and retirees, came in droves — many by bus — carrying placards with slogans like “From the river to the sea”, waving flags, and wearing kaffiyehs and Palestine-themed headbands to show their support.
The rally tonight aims to demonstrate Malaysians’ unity and unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle — and in particular, for the 23 Malaysians who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend the rally, after calling on Malaysians yesterday to take part not only to show support for Palestine but also to celebrate the activists who joined the flotilla.
All 23 Malaysian activists returned home late last night after being detained by the Israeli military last Thursday.
Their ships — part of an international flotilla carrying food and medical aid — were intercepted in the R3 Red Zone of the Mediterranean Sea before being taken to the port of Ashdod.
The volunteers, who were on various vessels including the Hio, Grande Blu, Huga, Alma, Sirius, Mikeno, Estrella, Fair Lady and Free Willy, were reportedly treated harshly while in Israeli custody.
They were released and flew out of Israel on Sunday evening before arriving at KLIA Terminal 1 at 10pm last night.
Earlier today, Israel intercepted two more humanitarian aid vessels carrying Malaysian nationals bound for Gaza, in what organisers described as an “illegal and inhumane” act.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens To Gaza (TMTG) said their ships were “unlawfully intercepted in international waters by Israeli Zionist forces” at about 10.50am Malaysian time.
Nine vessels in total were seized, including two carrying Malaysians, though no updates have yet been received on the condition of those on board.
According to humanitarian group MyCARE, eight Malaysians were aboard the Conscience vessel — including three doctors, Dr Fauziah Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman and Dr Ili Syakira Suhaimi. The group was led by academic Alauddin Ali, and also included lecturers Afandi Salleh and Noorhasyimah Ismail, MyCARE board of trustees member Norsham Abu Bakar, and Astro Awani journalist Syafik Shukri Abdul Jalil.
Another Malaysian academic, Maziah Muhammad, was on board the Umm Saad vessel. In total, some 150 participants from 25 countries took part in this latest humanitarian flotilla mission.
For Asyraf, a Universiti Kuala Lumpur student, their ordeal struck a deep chord.
“I felt so sad and angry over what happened to our volunteers. They were captured and tortured just for trying to send humanitarian aid.
“I hope Malaysians will stand united in supporting the Palestinians and our GSF volunteers,” he told Malay Mail while waiting in front of the arena’s entrance gates, which were scheduled to open at 6pm.
Like many others, Asyraf first heard about the rally on TikTok and quickly coordinated with friends to travel together from their hometown, packing themselves into one car and a motorcycle to make the trip to Bukit Jalil from Setapak.
Among the crowd was Muhammad Azhad Rusyaidi Addinass, 23, vice-president of Unisel’s student representative council, who arrived with a group of 30 students from Shah Alam by bus.
“The GSF volunteers went there to send food and medical aid, not weapons. But they were still arrested.
“I felt angry and sad when I found out. Humanitarian aid for Gaza was blocked — this rally will help shed more light on this genocide to the world,” he said.
Poziyah Abu, 67, a retiree, queued patiently with hundreds of others to enter the arena. She had followed the flotilla’s journey closely through Al Jazeera since morning.
“From morning until night, we followed the news. I was disappointed when I heard the flotilla was captured. Every minute, we pray for a ceasefire, for the genocide to stop, for aid to reach the oppressed people of Gaza. Even at my age, I still want to attend this rally — it is so important for Malaysians to show solidarity,” she said.
By 5.30pm, long lines had formed outside the venue as security checks began. The atmosphere was charged: chants of “Free Palestine” echoed through the crowd.
The rally, organised by several NGOs and solidarity groups, is expected to feature speeches from activists and leaders who participated in the GSF mission, as well as prayers and calls for greater international pressure to end the blockade.
Malay Mail – Malaysia
