It is reported that the Palestine Ambassador virtually addressed the gathering. He is reported to have told the audience that Palestinians have not stopped the war against Israel; he asked for Bharat’s help. He said that Israel betrayed the Palestinians. Palestinians’ goal is to establish their nation.
The advertisement poster carried the slogan “Zionist Adhinivesha Bheekarathakkethire” meaning “Against The Invasion of Terrorist Zionism” in Malayalam. It carried the pictures of the invitees, including Adnan Abu Alhaija, the Ambassador of Palestine to Bharat and Dr. Kamlain Shaa’ath, the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Gaza.
Jamaat carried out the programme even after Bharat declared its support to Israel. Its leaders reportedly said that Hamas fighters are exactly like Bharat’s freedom fighters, and they went even to the extent of comparing them to Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh, the patriotic warriors of our country’s freedom struggle.
SDPI, the political arm of the outlawed Popular Front of India, organised similar programmes too. There are reports of a programme held at Martyrs’ Column, Thiruvananthapuram. The programme was inaugurated by Palayam Muslim Jamaath president Noorudheen Sahib. Palayam Imam Suhaib Moulavi presided over the gathering. Shahin, district secretary of Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, was present. Another programme was carried out, in front of the secretariat building, by Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist). Party’s district committee members spoke on the occasion.
At Vizhinjam, again in Thiruvananthapuram district, Jamaats conducted solidarity prayers for Palestinians, according to reports. Reports from Kozhikode also suggest that solidarity functions took place there.
In the meantime, Muslim Education Society (MES) has reportedly declared its decision to conduct 100 seminars in the state on Hamas issue. Indian Union Muslim League state president is slated to inaugurate it on October 16. MES president is scheduled to present the paper. Leftist ‘historians’ will address the gatherings.
These are quite possible in Kerala because both ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) are competing each other in appeasing Muslim vote bank. The short cut for this soft task is to oppose Israel and justify Hamas, irrespective of their brutal attack against Israel, as CPM leader M. Swaraj posted in FB.
Meanwhile, as silver lines in the otherwise shameful ‘pro-Hamas appeasement atmosphere’, the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram witnessed, on October 14, a candle light demonstration before the secretariat to express solidarity with Israel. It was led by M. Gopal, President of Hindu Dharma Parishad, Thiruvananthapuram, and former Sangh Pracharak and Sandeep Vachaspati, BJP spokesman.
Another programme was carried out, on October 15, by Christian fraternity in Thiruvananthapuram, as a token of sympathy for Israel. The peace march was carried out from Palayam Martyr Column. Actor and BJP national council member Krishnakumar inaugurated the Peace March. CEFI Diocese Minority Board president Rev. Bishop Dr. Mobin Mathew Kunnampalli, actor Jose, Brother-in-Church representative Gilbert, YMCA former president Koshy M. George, CASA secretary Aneesh Thyagarajan, BJP area president Sanal and social worker V.T. Cheriyan led the march. Hundreds of believers representing various Christian denominations participated.
Now, the peace loving people are worried about the untoward incidents likely to take place in the state in connection with Hamas – Israel conflicts. Traders in the Jew Street of Mattancherry in western Kochi have requested the State Police Chief to give adequate protection for the synagogue in the street. Arafath Nazar, secretary of the Kerala Handicrafts Dealers & Manufacturers Association (KHDMA) said that “none can be sure, threats might emerge”. His organisation has demanded armed security and protection for the shrine. It is to be remembered that the Kochi synagogue was established in 1567. It is said to be the oldest synagogue in the entire Commonwealth countries.
