KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on Wednesday (Oct 8) night to attend the "Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza: Gelombang Malaysia, Palestin Merdeka" event, held to demonstrate Malaysia's support for the people of Palestine.
The Prime Minister was received on arrival at 8.30pm by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby.
Chants of "Bebas Palestin" and "Free Palestine" echoed throughout the packed indoor arena as thousands of attendees voiced their support.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver his address at the highlight of the event, set for 9pm.
The gathering, which began at 6pm, also featured several programmes, including a solat hajat (special prayer) and "Munajat Perdana" for Gaza, as well as a poetry recital by media personality Ahmad Fedtri Yahya and performances by Munsyid Malaysia.
Also speaking at the event were members of the Malaysian delegation who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission to Gaza, including Cinta Gaza Malaysia chief executive officer Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman, and celebrities Ardell Aryana, Heliza Helmi and Zizi Kirana.
Anwar, who is the patron of Sumud Nusantara, was earlier reported as saying that the gathering was organised to celebrate the return of the GSF humanitarian mission participants last night following their release from Israeli detention.
He also said the rally was to further strengthen Malaysians' solidarity with Palestine. - Bernama
