Massive global turnout for International Quds Day

ByNews Desk- The Cradle 

Aside from standing for the Palestinian cause, Quds Day is considered a day for all of the oppressed peoples of the world

People across the world flocked to attend various demonstrations and seminars marking the annual International Quds Day in their cities and locales, as coronavirus restrictions have been lifted in many parts of the world for the first time in two years.

International Quds Day was established in 1979 by the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Imam Khomeini, as a global call for the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Khomeini also described Quds Day as a day for all the oppressed peoples of the world.

Rallies swept across various Iranian cities, both large and small.

Representatives of Palestinian resistance organizations in Iran hosted their own events with senior Iranian military officials present, including IRGC General Hossein Salami.

In Lebanon, a massive event was held in Beirut’s southern suburbs which broadcast a live speech by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayed Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah supporters wave flags on Quds day in Beirut on 29 April 2022. 

(Photo credit: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah members hold a replica of the Dome of the Rock Mosque 

as they march during a rally to mark Quds day, in Beirut, Lebanon, 

29 April 2022. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Despite a humanitarian crisis created by the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, Yemenis flocked to the streets in vast numbers.

Bahrainis also took to the streets to honor the holiday. Their demonstrations occurred at unusual hours of the day in order to avoid confrontations with security forces.

Exiled Bahraini spiritual leader Ayatollah Isa Qassem addressed the Bahraini people from the Islamic Republic of Iran, where he condemned the normalization of ties between Bahrain and Israel.

Outside of West Asia, massive demonstrations in Kashmir took place despite heavy restrictions by Indian authorities.

Rallies also took place in the heart of South Africa, as people related the struggle of the Palestinians to their struggle under apartheid.

Hundreds marched in London over the previous weekend to accommodate people who work on Fridays.

Rallies also took place in various cities across the US.

These rallies come as Israeli forces intensify their violent crackdowns on both Muslim and Christian worshipers in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem) during the holy occasions of Ramadan and Easter, respectively.

In response to Israeli escalations, the Palestinian resistance factions have launched several retaliatory strikes from Gaza and have promised to turn it into a regional war if the Al-Aqsa Mosque faces an existential threat.