Group defends 'solidarity' food fest, says proceeds to be channelled to Gaza

The Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) defended their “solidarity” food festival held at Dataran Merdeka, emphasising it is aimed at advocating and educating Malaysians about Gaza’s plight.

It said the proceeds raised from the vendors participating in the food fest would be channelled to Gaza voluntarily, through zakat and infaq (a form of charity).

The organisation also said the food fest, which is part of a 3-day Sumud Nusantara carnival, is a long-term creative strategy and not an exploitation or commercialisation of Palestinians’ suffering.

“The food festival is just one element of a wider programme, helping visitors to get refreshments while attending exhibitions, performances and interactive activities.

“The others (wider programmes) provide interactive and educational experiences for everybody, including families, through activities such as VR Gaza Time Tunnel, Hot Air Balloons, Palestinian arts and cultural exhibitions, as well as qunut nazilah recitations.

“These activities are for visitors to spend sufficient time to understand the plight of the Palestinian people, in a way close to Malaysian culture,” Mapim said in a statement today.

It should be noted that Sumud Nusantara is a flotilla mission carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

‘Tone deaf’

Earlier today, Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperialis (Gegar) told Malaysiakini that the food festival appeared as a means for opportunists to exploit and profit from the Palestinians’ sufferings.

Pejuang leader Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali also deemed the carnival tone deaf and ironically vulgar.

Gegar claimed they were informed by organisers that five percent of the proceeds from the event would be channelled to Gaza.

On that note, Mapim said the carnival is a continuation of the global advocacy mission for Palestine - based on three frameworks which are land convoy, carnival and assembly.

The land convoy would see the participation of hundreds of vehicles making their way to Dataran Merdeka, while the carnival focuses on uniting the people through interactive activities.

“The highlight would be where Mapim and Cinta Gaza Malaysia (another NGO) would fly to Spain, Italy and Tunisia to lead a voyage representing 10 Sumud Nusantara countries, out of 50 member nations, in bringing aid to Gaza via sea.

“And tomorrow, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is a patron of Sumud Nusantara, will deliver a special speech and launch the flotilla,” Mapim added.

The three-day event, from Aug 22 to 24, is supported by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar and Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

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