Not a ceasefire – the genocide must stop. The March for Gaza program demanded that Israel be tried for genocide in the International Court of Justice and that the Palestinians be given back the pre-1967 land and open the way for the establishment of state sovereignty.
These demands were made in the manifesto of the program announced by the ‘Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh’ at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Saturday.
Earlier, the ‘March for Gaza’ program began shortly after 3 pm. The program ended with the reading of a declaration at around 4 pm. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh newspaper, read the declaration and delivered a speech.
The first part of the declaration addresses the United Nations and the international community, the second part addresses the governments and ummah of the Muslim world, and the third part addresses the government of Bangladesh.
The declaration, addressed to the United Nations and the international community, says that many Western powers have perpetuated this genocide by directly providing weapons, money, and diplomatic support to the occupier. This world order has entered into a competition to protect the occupier Israel rather than questioning it.
We say to the United Nations and the international community:
1. The prosecution of Zionist Israel’s genocide must be ensured in the International Court of Justice.
2. Not a ceasefire—effective and concerted action must be taken to stop the genocide.
3. An obligation must be created to return pre-1967 land.
4. East Jerusalem must be internationally recognized as the capital of the Palestinian state.
5. The path to establishing Palestinian self-determination, security, and state sovereignty must be opened.
The second set of demands is addressed to the leaders of the Muslim Ummah. It states that, since we believe that Palestine is not just a territory – it is part of the identity of the Muslim Ummah. Gaza is no longer just a war-torn city – it is a painful reflection of our collective failures. Hindutva in India has today become the representative of the Zionist project in the region. It continues to perpetuate a well-planned repression and persecution against Muslims. The recent interference in the Waqf Property Act in India has taken away the religious and historical rights of Muslims, which is a clear warning to the Muslim Ummah.
The March for Gaza declaration strongly calls on governments of the Muslim world and organizations representing the Muslim Ummah, including the OIC:
1. All economic, military and diplomatic relations with Israel must be immediately severed.
2. Trade embargoes and sanctions must be imposed against the Zionist state.
3. We must stand by the oppressed people of Gaza with all-out support, including medical, food, housing, and defense assistance.
4. An active diplomatic campaign must be launched to isolate Israel at the international level.
5. The OIC and Muslim countries must take a strong protest and effective diplomatic stance against the state aggression, especially the interference in the Waqf law, under the Hindutva rule of India, an ally of Zionism.
The third part states that we have made 6 demands to the government of Bangladesh. It mentions:
1. The ‘Except Israel’ clause should be reinstated in Bangladeshi passports and the position of not recognizing Israel as a state should be more clearly expressed.
2. All agreements the government has with any Israeli institution must be canceled.
3. Effective measures must be taken to send relief and medical aid to Gaza on a national basis.
4. All government institutions and import policies should include instructions to boycott products of Zionist companies.
5. We must protest at the national level against the ongoing persecution of Muslims and other minorities under the Hindutva government of India, which is an ally of Zionism.
6. Textbooks and education policies must include the history of Al-Aqsa, Palestine, and the struggle of Muslims.
While reading the declaration, Mahmudur Rahman also said, “The latest demands are for ourselves, which is basically a pledge. If we are not ready today, then tomorrow our children may get a Bangladesh where Hindutva and Zionism will together create a new Gaza.”
The demands made to themselves are:
1. We will all spontaneously boycott – every product, company and force that perpetuates the Israeli occupation.
2. We will prepare our society and future generations – who will preserve and restore all the symbols and signs of Islam and the Muslim Ummah.
3. We will raise our children to be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice of life and property to protect their ideals and homeland.
4. We will not be divided. Because, we know, it is never too late to take over a divided people. We will remain united, so that this Bangladesh never becomes the next Gaza of any Hindutva project.
Earlier this morning, people from different walks of life started arriving from different parts of the country, including the capital and surrounding districts. Most of the participants in the procession were seen holding Palestinian flags and placards with various slogans.
Palestine Solidarity Movement, Bangladesh has created an event page on Facebook called ‘March for Gaza’. Almost all political parties including BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and people from all walks of life, including the Alem-Ulama community, have expressed solidarity with the program. As a result, the park became crowded with people from the morning due to the spontaneous participation of the public.
A tour of the area around Suhrawadi Park showed that participants were arriving at the rally site in processions shortly after passing through the Ramna Kali Mandir gate of the park, the gate adjacent to TSC, the gate adjacent to Ramna Engineers Institute, and the VIP gate.
At this time, the people who came to the program kept chanting slogans like ‘Free Palestine’, ‘Gaza is stained with blood, why is the world silent’, ‘Who are you and who am I, Palestine is Palestine’.
Around 11 am, Suhrawardy Udyan, Ramna Park, Matsabhaban, the area in front of the High Court, DU’s Curzon Hall, the Central Library area, Shahbagh, Kataban, and Bangla Motor were seen to be crowded with people. No vehicles were seen moving through these areas. Rickshaws were also closed.
Meanwhile, water tanks have been seen at various intersections in the capital. People participating in the March for Gaza program are being fed water. No police were seen at various traffic points. However, the DMP’s traffic department said that the traffic system has become useless due to the large number of people.
Around noon, when the park and its surrounding area were full, an announcement was made over the microphone from the main stage, “Suhrawardy Park is full, everyone, sit down where you are.” From then on, the procession stopped coming towards the park.
Around 2:30 pm, crowds of people were seen in the Dhaka University area, Nilkhet, New Market intersection, Azimpur bus stand, BUET area, Chankharpool, Gulistan, around Baitul Mukarram, Zero Point, Paltan intersection, Dainik Bangla intersection, Fakirapool, Naya Paltan area, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Moghbazar, Farmgate, Kawran Bazar intersection, Banglamotor, Science Lab, and Katabon intersection areas. Traffic movement in these areas is suspended.
Dhaka Metropolitan Traffic Police DC Md. Shafiqul Islam told Samakal that the traffic system in Dhaka has become ineffective due to the March for Gaza program at Suhrawardy Udyan. No vehicles are plying in the approximately three-kilometer area surrounding Suhrawardy Udyan.
He said, “We advise people to use alternative roads in the morning. Later, the alternative roads are also closed, bringing Dhaka to a standstill.”
DC Md. Shafiqul Islam also said, “We are now thinking about how these people will go once the program ends.”
Meanwhile, in the Moghbazar area, it can be seen that traffic on Rampura Road has been stopped due to the pressure of people. People of all ages, including women, men, children and the elderly, are also coming from Mouchak to Shantinagar Flyover. As a result, traffic on the flyover has also been stopped.
Meanwhile, Palestinian flags, badges, and T-shirts for sale have been piled up around the park surrounding the gathering, and many of the attendees are eagerly buying them.
