NILAI, 3rd June 2021 – It is known worldwide that uncivilized attack of Zionist Israel towards Palestine happened in the end of Ramadan. Ironically, barely into 12 hours of agreed ceasefire, the Zionist shows their true colour again by attacking Palestinian people heartlessly in the Aqsa and West Bank. Just imagine the sorrow and difficulties of this Palestinian families to survived in the middle of all the chaos apart from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis that happened throughout the world while other muslim in the other parts of the world peacefully celebrate Ramadhan and Eidul Fitri.

In order to show utmost support to Palestinian brothers, sisters and families in Gaza and West Bank in their difficult times facing an aggression from Zionist Israel, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) proudly organized USIM Palestine Solidarity Webinar “Palestine in our Hearts” virtually officiated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dato Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin and was attended by 236 participants from Malaysia and abroad.

According to Prof Dr Mohamad Yahya Mohamed Ariffin, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Strategic Planning and Internationalization), this program is intended to provide a clearer awareness and understanding to USIM and the community on the issues and situations that occurred in Palestine overall. Moderated by Dr. Mohd Zin Kandar, Director of Centre for Sustainability and Serenity (C4SS) USIM, this webinar brought special panels live from Gaza and the West Bank.

The first session of this webinar started with the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict presented by Dr.  Wesam Almahallawi, Senior Lecturer of Faculty of Leadership and Management, while second session features Mr Sameer Saeed from Jerusalem, as training affairs adviser at Al-Aqsa International Foundation, Istanbul talked about Gaza Strip, West Bank and Sheikh Jarrah, a small neighbourhood in East Jerusalem and why are Israel and the Palestinians fighting over this territory.

Expressing the youth’s views on behalf of the Palestinian Student Association, regardings the future and the importance of empowerment the economic and educational structure in Palestine, Ms. Heba A.M Shehab, Architecture student’s from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment USIM appeared in the third session, enthusiastically calling on all parties to remain fully supportive of Palestine.

Webinar participants are also from time to time was shown with videos and current situations updated from speaker Dr Mahmoud Shakfa, CEO International Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (IESCO) and Mrs. Afaf Al Najjar from Gaza, Palestinian activist,writer and social media coordinator with Al-Baraem society.

This webinar ended with a mixed emotion, and determination to encouraged people to take a stance “what exactly happen” with this current conflict.

Prepared by:
Fadzlina Azahari
Pusat Komunikasi Strategik
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)