Groups urge Education Ministry to retain Palestine Solidarity Week

A group of NGOs have urged the Education Ministry to retain the Palestine Solidarity Week after similar events drew criticism over the presence of extremist elements.

Referring to a specific incident where schoolchildren were seen play-acting with mock rifles, they said they could understand parents’ concerns.

However, the group of 18 NGOs claimed it was just an isolated incident and it would be “a great pity if just one isolated incident is used as a basis to scrap a noble educational undertaking”.

“The incident occurred at only one school and nothing similar happened at any other school.

“The incident occurred before Palestine Solidarity Week started and had nothing to do with the programme. More than anything else, it was an isolated incident reflecting some overzealousness on the part of the adults in charge.

“The ministry had already taken disciplinary measures against the school management involved,” the group said in a statement yesterday.

If deemed appropriate, they said the event can be limited to just secondary schools.

Signatories of the statement include Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (Malaysia), Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia, Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation, and the Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs.

“The Palestine Solidarity Week is a programme with the good and noble intention of creating among young people the awareness of and sympathy for the plight of their Palestinian brothers and sisters who, over the past 75 years, have suffered grave injustice and brutalities at the hands of the Zionists, especially now with the situation in Gaza.

“It is an issue which transcends ethnicity, religion, and nationality. It is an issue of humanity. Countless Jews and Christians, and not just Muslims, have spoken out against the injustices suffered by the Palestinians,” they said.

READ MORE: Tian Chua: Palestine Solidarity Week discourse reflects communal divisions

Toy guns and headbands

The Palestine Solidarity Week officially started yesterday and continues for the rest of the week. The ministry said it aims to teach humanitarian values such as human rights and courtesy.

In the run-up to the event, however, several schools - not just one - drew controversy with their own pro-Palestine events with their open brandishing of weapons and mock weapons.

Photos were circulated online featuring schoolchildren carrying toy guns and machine guns while donning headbands voicing support for Palestine. The incident purportedly took place at a school in Klang.

In a video of a similar event, a procession of adults donning garb showing solidarity with Palestine - with some carrying toy guns - were seen marching in a school hall while students looked on.

Meanwhile, in a video featuring a religious school under PAS’ Sekolah Rendah Integrasi Teras Islam chain in Kedah, a man surrounded by students was seen shooting a flaming arrow onto a defaced Israeli flag, setting it ablaze amid chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said schools are encouraged to hold the events but has called for “control”, while lawmakers from PKR and DAP urged for the event to the reviewed and elements of violence kept in check.

Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said the government should not succumb to pressure and allow the event to proceed.

PKR 12 slam Israel, say stand on 'Palestine week' misinterpreted

Send PKR 12 to Palestine, Umno Youth chief tells PM

LETTER | Opposed to Hamas doesn’t mean one is against Gaza

COMMENT | Do non-Malays feel about Palestine differently?

Be 'careful' in calling for solidarity week review, PAS tells PKR reps

Tian Chua: Palestine Solidarity Week discourse reflects communal divisions

COMMENT | Solidarity Week not doing justice to Palestinian cause