KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 - As the first anniversary of the Tufan Al-Aqsa conflict, also known as the Gaza-Israel war of 2023, approaches, nations across the globe are reflecting on the toll of the violence and the solidarity shown to the Palestinian people.

The Tufan Al-Aqsa war erupted on October 7 of 2023, following a series of escalating tensions between Palestinian resistance movements in Gaza and Israeli occupation forces.

The war caused widespread devastation, resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and hundreds of thousands of missing and homeless people, as well as the destruction of homes, schools, and essential infrastructure in Gaza.

 During this critical time, Malaysia's response was swift, providing material and moral support to Gaza. This effort has been ongoing, with various sectors of Malaysian society, official non-governmental organisations (NGO), and non-profit organisations (NPO) contributing to the relief efforts in the besieged territory of the Gaza Strip People, which has been under an unjust siege for 17 years.

Humanitarian Aid, Public Solidarity and Advocacy

One of Malaysia's most significant contributions during the war was humanitarian aid. The Malaysian people, government, and numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) rapidly mobilised to send supplies to Gaza, including food, medical aid, and essential items for displaced families.

The war-affected individuals received food aid, clean water, shelter, and medical assistance from these funds. However, the most potent support that impacts the world and the Palestinians in Gaza is moral support and taking to the streets in all forms. Palestinian clothing, the Palestinian flag, and the Palestinian keffiyeh have become part of the Malaysian people's daily culture.

It is also obvious that Malaysia's response to the war in Gaza has been characterised by an outpouring of solidarity from the Malaysian public. Throughout the conflict, Malaysians held rallies, prayer gatherings, and charity events to show their support for the Palestinian people.

People raised the iconic "Save Palestine" banners across the country, and social media campaigns advocating for Gaza went viral. Civil society organisations such as Viva Palestina Malaysia, Aqsa Syarif, and MyCARE spearheaded fundraisers and awareness campaigns to educate the public about Gaza's situation and guarantee ongoing aid delivery to the region.

Malaysians from various religious and ethnic backgrounds united in their calls for peace and justice, highlighting the strong sense of empathy and solidarity that cuts across the country. Mosques, churches, and temples also played an active role, hosting prayer sessions and raising donations for Gaza. 

Through international aid coordination, Malaysia opened its hospitals to critically injured Palestinians requiring advanced medical care – including those with severe injuries from airstrikes and other violent incidents. 

The Higher Education Ministry in Malaysia provided fee waivers for two semesters for Palestinian students after the Battle of Tufan Al-Aqsa. 

In the era of open media, the Malaysian media made a significant contribution by opening its various media platforms to Palestinians and supporters of the just Palestinian cause.

This allowed them to clarify the situation in Gaza and present the true Palestinian narrative, a time when most international media platforms sided with the Israeli narrative, portraying them as victims rather than as savage Nazi fascist killers.

This broad spectrum of support reflected Malaysia's deep-rooted concern for the Palestinian struggle. It underscored the country's long-standing commitment to supporting oppressed communities globally.

Diplomatic Efforts: Malaysia's Staunch Support for Palestine

Malaysia's support for Gaza extends beyond providing humanitarian aid. Malaysia is among the most vocal supporters of Palestinian rights and sovereignty abroad.

Throughout the Tufan Al-Aqsa war, Malaysian leaders consistently called for an end to war and violence. They condemned the actions of Israeli occupation forces in Gaza. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during various global forums, including the United Nations, advocated for more decisive international action to stop the violence in Gaza and provide justice for Palestinians.

The belief that a two-state solution – with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine – is essential for lasting peace in the region is rooted in Malaysia's stance. Malaysia also actively participated in diplomatic initiatives with other Muslim-majority countries through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urging member states to take collective action in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Malaysia's diplomatic efforts have sought to raise awareness and push for concrete resolutions to support Palestinian rights globally.

Looking Ahead: A Nation's Commitment to Peace and Justice

As the countdown begins to the first anniversary of the unjust war on innocent civilians, women, children, and the elderly, Malaysia's role in supporting Gaza has been both substantial and multifaceted.

Malaysia has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause by providing immediate humanitarian aid, advocating on the international stage, mobilising civil society, and working towards long-term reconstruction.

Malaysia's efforts have provided hope and relief to the people of Gaza in the face of adversity, highlighting the power of solidarity and compassion in times of crisis. While the road to peace remains fraught with challenges, Malaysia continues to stand with Gaza, advocating for justice and a brighter future for the Palestinian people. Thank you, Malaysi. -BERNAMA

Dr. Abdelrahman Ibrahim, a lecturer and education technology expert at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), originally from the Palestinian city of Al-Ramlah, shares the Palestinian people's gratitude for the solidarity and advocacy shown by Malaysia and its citizens as the first anniversary of the 2023 Gaza-Israel war approaches.