Kashmir celebrates Al Quds Day & opposes Israeli apartheid amid COVID pandemic
Written by: Saif Ali Budgami
Despite the lockdown caused by this novel Coronavirus, Kashmir joined the world and managed to mark the International Al Quds Day via various ways on social media platforms, marches, sit-in protests and flag hoisting. Many hashtags that billions of accounts were adorned with trending as #FlyTheFlag #QudsDay2020 and #FreePalestine. The regional and similar occupied lands like Kashmir, Nigeria, Yemen, Bahrain, Afghanistan added some demonstrative hashtags like #FreeKashmir #FreeZakzaky #EndWarOnYemen and more.
International Al Quds Day is annually marked on the last Friday of Ramadan. It was initiated by Ayatollah Khomaini (R.a), the founder of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979. Its purpose, to express support for the Palestinians, oppose Zionism and Israel. It also exists in opposition to the Jerusalem Day instituted by Israel in May 1968, and which Knesset law changed into a national holiday in 1998. Since its initiation, the day globally received a positive response and is being celebrated around the world.
“If someone came and took over your house, a hundred years later, it will still be your home to which you have a right. Palestine is home for the Palestinians.” Mohammad Abbas a Kashmiri activist, wrote on his Twitter handle to protest the illegal occupation of Palestine on the international Al Quds Day.
Though its symbolic name refers Palestinian site Al Quds which was first place of direction to prayer (Qibla) for Muslims globally. However, it is dedicated to every oppressed and occupied land of the world. In many places Kashmiris took banners of Palestine and marched on the roads, flew flags from their windows, verandahs and roof tops of the houses.
One chant was:
“Free Kashmir, Free Palestine, Netanyahu you will see, Palestine will be Free, Donald Trump you will see, Palestine will be free, Narendar Modi you will see, Kashmir will be free”
Some managed to carry sit in protests with proper social distancing in the respective areas to mark the International Al Quds Day.
Nazer Ahmad Mir of Magam Budgam, from a central district of Kashmir, managed to hold a sit in protest in a local park. Where from little children to old age people were carrying placards. Written with various Anti Israeli and pro Palestine slogans. Maintaining rigorous social distance in challenge of Coronavirus.
In conversation with local media Mir said “we did carry huge protest each year, through the national highway road that leads to a world famous picnic spot Gulmarg. In which thousands of people did join after Friday prayers. But this lockdown didn’t allow us to do so. Thus all local areas and mohallahs managed to protest differently in the respective localities in fear of the Coronavirus spread”
People who couldn’t join any of the ways managed to put their messages in respective means, in small podcasts and videos with the message protesting the illegal occupation of Israel and Palestine.
“Due to this lockdown it was not possible for people to come out and protest but I am glad to see how people have flooded their social media accounts with posts and pictures to let people know what this Al Quds day is actually about” added journalist Aneesa Khan from Budgam, who had previously uploaded a video urging people to protest via their social media platforms more strongly than before.
The unique and inspiring part of this year’s protest was that people floored the portraits of Donald Trump and Netanyahu, along with the flags of Israel and the United States on the roads, then tread on them. Some small kids in main town Budgam a central district or Kashmir were seen spitting and jumping on them. Expressing anger and dissent against those tyrants.
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