A candlelight vigil held on Saturday in Jalan Bukit Bintang to protest against the war in Gaza was greeted with a mix of jeers and cheers.

no peace at anti-war vigil 170109 banner The participants, comprising seven activists from the Food Not Bombs and Kudeta Collective, displayed a banner with the words "Queer/Feminists for The Freedom of Palestine" by the pavement.

The participants also distributed leaflets to passers-by.

At about 8pm, the group attracted a small crowd of about 50 youths. Most of whom looked perplexed and did not seem to understand the purpose of the vigil.

Some of the on-lookers also booed and yelled "Bodoh!" at the participants.

Songs and poem

S Thilaga, an international relations and gender studies undergraduate who acted as a spokesperson for the group, explained that the vigil was held to highlight the plight of the people caught in the conflict.

"This vigil is held to remind us all of the suffering of not only Palestinians but also the Israeli youths who have been imprisoned for refusing to participate in the war.

no peace at anti-war vigil 170109 nunu and hana "As for the banner, the words 'queer/feminists' were used to send a message that gay rights activists and feminists are not only concerned with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual) issues, but also other social issues such as this war that we're protesting,", she added.

Two of the participants, who wished to be merely known as "Nunu" and "Hana", rendered songs with anti-war messages while another participant, John, recited a poem on the suffering of war victims.

The group dispersed peacefully by 8.30pm and no untoward incidents were reported.