As the conflict between Israel and Palestine enters its seventh day, Bangladeshi Muslims on Friday took to the streets, voicing their opposition to Israeli attacks on Palestinians, including women and children.
In Dhaka, Several Islamic parties brought out protest rallies from Baitul Mukarram National Mosque condemning the attacks on Gaza.
Protesters from Islami Oikya Jote, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlish and other like-minded parties brought out rallies after the Jummah prayers.
Their processions passed through Nightingale intersection before returning to the starting point.
In Gopalganj, protest marches and rallies took place at Mohuar Mor Chattar in Kotalipara upazila after the Jummah prayer.
The programs were organized under the banner of Kotalipara Ulama Kalyan Samity and Towhidi Janata.
Muslims attending the rallies announced a 10-point demand, including a call to end the counter-campaign on the Muslims in Palestine.
In Pabna, general Muslims staged a protest march opposing the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The protest march commenced in front of the Chapa Bibi Waqf Estate Mosque Complex under the banner of Pabna Ulama Mashayekh.
The march proceeded through the city's main streets, including Abdul Hamid Road, culminating in a brief rally at the Traffic Mor.
Speakers in the protest march called for global unity to return an independent territory to the Palestinians.
“We want to go to war if needed for the establishment of an independent Palestine. We will protect the sanctity of the holy Jerusalem, even if it requires sacrificing our lives,” they said.
In Rangamati, protests and a human chain were organized to voice opposition to the violence against Palestinians.
A protest march was initiated from the Fishery Ghat and Collectorate Jame Masjid by the Islami Andolan Bangladesh Rangamati branch after the Jummah prayer.
The march circled the main road of the town and concluded with a brief assembly at Banarupa Road.
Rangamati unit Islami Andolan Bangladesh President Md Jashim Uddin said: "America speaks of human rights. They lecture various countries on humanity, but how can they support the killing of Palestinian people today?”
“We have gathered today to protest against the ongoing oppression and torture of ordinary people in Palestine. We are expressing our sympathy to the freedom-loving people,” he said.
“We do not support any form of violence. Our protest will continue wherever injustice occurs in the world,” he added.
In Bogra, a protest march and gathering were organized after the Jummah prayers.
Although the initiative was organized by the Bogra Ulama Mashayekh Parishad, leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatrashibir primarily led it.
The protest march, starting in front of the Baitur Rahman Central Mosque on Station Road in Bogra city, moved through zero point Satmatha, Kazi Nazrul Islam Road, and Thana Mor, returning to end again in front of the mosque at Satmatha.
Speakers at the march said that Palestinian Muslims have been oppressed for generations.
“Thousands of innocent Palestinian women and children have been killed. Thousands of Palestinians have been disabled due to bombings. Numerous sisters have become widows. Countless mothers, bereaved,” they said.
“In such a situation, the Muslims of Bangladesh, like Muslims worldwide, cannot remain silent,” they added.
In Faridpur, a protest march and public gathering took place, opposing the countermeasures by Israel on the Palestinians.
The protest march began in front of the Chawk Bazar Jame Mosque in the city after the Jummah prayers, initiated by the Faridpur district branch of the Imam Kalyan Foundation.
The march circled the city's main streets and concluded with a brief assembly in front of the Faridpur Press Club.
Speakers at the assembly said that Palestinians are being killed without trial and a humanitarian crisis has begun in Palestine.
“Today, America supports the murderers. International organizations, including the United Nations, remain silent or speak in favour of Israel instead of supporting Palestine,” they said.
“We must form a separate organization named the Muslim United Nations,” they added.
In Dinajpur, Islami Andolan Bangladesh brought out a protest march and held a rally after the Jummah prayers.
Additionally, another march took place under the banner of Ulama Mashayekh.
Leaders, activists, and devout Muslim attendees from various mosques and madrasas of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the Dinajpur district gathered at Dinajpur Institute Field.
The protest march toured the city's main roads and finally concluded back at the Dinajpur Institute Field.
At the brief assembly following the march, speakers urgently called for an immediate halt to the mass killings of Muslims in Palestine.
In Khulna, Islami Andolan Bangladesh brought out a protest march and held an assembly.
The assembly took place at the north gate of Baitun Nur Mosque in the city at around 3pm.
Speakers at the assembly said that Al-Aqsa is a holy land for Muslims and an asset of the Muslim Ummah.
The responsibility to protect this asset does not lie with the Palestinians alone but with the entire Muslim Ummah, they said.
“There will be no solution to the Palestinian issue without establishing an independent state. United efforts must be made to dismantle the venomous fangs of occupying Israel and the notorious Middle Eastern aggressor,” they added.
Our Gopalganj Correspondent Manoj Kumar Saha, Pabna Correspondent Md Emroz Khandakar, Bogra Correspondent Nazmul Huda Nasim, Faridpur Correspondent Rashedul Hasan Kazal, Dinajpur Correspondent Faruk Hossain and Khulna Correspondent Hedait Hossain Molla contributed to the report
