Image Source: GroundUp
Cape Town – In protest against the Zionist Israeli regime’s genocide in Gaza and 76 years of occupation in Palestine, hundreds of thousands of supporters and solidarity groups worldwide came together to demand justice for the oppressed Palestinians and call for an end to Israeli aggression throughout the region.
October 7 marked a year of continuous violence, starvation, and destruction in Gaza. Entire Palestinian communities have been torn apart, with countless innocent lives killed, homes destroyed, and fundamental human rights denied by the Israeli regime.
From Cape Town to cities across the globe, large crowds raised their voices for the liberation of the Palestinian people, united in their call for freedom and the cessation of decades of violence and occupation.
Reflecting on these global demonstrations, Shaykh Riad Fataar, President of the Muslim Judicial Council, remarked that this weekend and today, the people of the world delivered a collective message to the Zionists, Israel, and their Western allies: “We are all Palestinian, and the world has become Palestinian.”
This united stance affirms that the fight for Palestinian freedom is a global struggle and that we, as the South African people, stand committed to resisting oppression, racism, and apartheid in all forms, wherever it may be.
“We’ve seen people come out on Saturday because they want to see justice for the Palestinian people, the people of Gaza, and everywhere else where people are oppressed, whether it be Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, or anywhere else, including Africa, wherever people are oppressed. We are ordered by Allah to strive to achieve justice.”
Like many cities, Cape Town’s recent protests showcased the power of social unity, with diverse groups coming together in solidarity for a shared cause. This highlights that the Palestinian struggle resonates far beyond its borders, drawing support from people of various backgrounds who share a commitment to justice and human rights.
Shaykh Fataar also praised the participation of Cape Town’s religious communities and their leaders, particularly those often marginalised or misrepresented by Zionist narratives.
He believes this interfaith solidarity strengthens the global movement for Palestinian justice, challenging the Zionist forces of hatred and division. Additionally, it demonstrates that the Palestinian cause is not merely political or isolated but a cause that people of all faiths embrace.
“What really hit me was that people made sure they had big, massive banners that said, “We are all Hamas.” It’s not just Shaykh Riad Fataar saying that, but the whole of Cape Town, the whole of South Africa, and the world are standing by those who are fighting oppression, fighting injustice, and fighting this displacement.”
