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In a powerful show of solidarity with Palestinians, hundreds of thousands gathered at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday, demanding an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and calling for Muslim nations to sever all diplomatic and trade ties with Israel.
The “March for Gaza” rally brought together people from all walks of life, including religious leaders, political figures, academics, celebrities, and sports personalities. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Free, free Palestine,” “Genocide no more,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” waving Bangladeshi and Palestinian flags throughout the capital.
The event concluded with a declaration, read out by Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, urging the Bangladeshi government to reinstate the “Except Israel” clause in passports and cancel all existing agreements with Israeli entities. It also called for boycotts of companies linked to Zionism, official government protests against Muslim persecution in India, and the inclusion of Palestinian history in national education curricula.
Presided over by Muhammad Abdul Malek, the khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the rally was addressed by prominent Islamic scholars including Shaykh Ahmadullah and Mizanur Rahman Azhari. “Despite our differences, we are united in our support for Palestine,” Shaykh Ahmadullah declared. Azhari added, “Though we are far from Gaza, we carry its pain in our hearts.”
The protest saw early morning processions converging on Suhrawardy Udyan from areas like Shahbag, Doel Chattar, and Nilkhet. Organizers emphasized the non-partisan nature of the event and urged broad participation beyond political divides.
A wide array of public figures expressed support through video messages. These included leaders from political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, AB Party, and Khelafat Majlis. National cricket stars Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Nahid Rana, and Taijul Islam also voiced solidarity.
Support also came from academics and influencers like BUET lecturer and YouTuber Enayet Chowdhury, Ten Minute School founder Ayman Sadiq, and entrepreneur Mahmudul Hasan Sohag. Religious leaders, including representatives from the Ad-Din Foundation and various Islamic institutions, also backed the cause.
The declaration emphasized Bangladesh’s historic stance against injustice, framing the country’s independence struggle as a foundation for its solidarity with oppressed peoples worldwide—especially Palestine.
