'March for Gaza' ends with call to end genocide in Gaza, ensure trial of Israel

A massive national gathering under the banner of "Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh" concluded today at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka with a powerful declaration, demanding immediate and effective global action to end the genocide perpetrated by Zionist Israel and to ensure justice through international courts. 

The event, titled "March for Gaza," drew participation from millions of people across the country.

The declaration, read out on behalf of the people of Bangladesh by Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Daily Amar Desh, demanded legal accountability for the genocide committed by Zionist Israel and called on the international community, including the United Nations, to enforce the return of Palestinian lands occupied since before 1967.

“In the name of Allah, the Almighty, the Just, the Protector of the Oppressed and the One who determines the fate of the tyrant—we, the people of Bangladesh, who carry the legacy of resistance against injustice, stand today with the fearless people of Gaza,” the declaration began.

This gathering, the declaration said, is not just a protest but a united pledge to move forward in the face of history. From this march and mass assembly, four categories of demands were presented.

Demands to the United Nations and International Community:

1. The international court must ensure justice for the genocide committed by Zionist Israel.

2. The international community must go beyond mere ceasefire calls and take immediate, united, and effective actions to stop the genocide.

3. There must be enforceable obligations to return all Palestinian lands occupied before 1967.

4. East Jerusalem must be internationally recognized as the capital of the Palestinian state.

5. The global order must open the path for Palestinians to exercise self-determination, security, and state sovereignty, as the mask of justice worn by the world powers has fallen amidst the ruins of Gaza.

Appeal to the Muslim Ummah:

The declaration extended its second set of demands to leaders of the Muslim Ummah. It affirmed that Palestine is not merely a territory, but a part of the Muslim identity. Gaza now symbolizes the collective failure of the Ummah, and the trust bestowed upon every Muslim leader, state, and citizen—by divine brotherhood and responsibility—has been betrayed. Zionist Israel, an illegitimate, occupying, and genocidal state, has invested all its power to erase Muslims’ first Qibla and an entire nation, while Hindutva ideology in India now represents a regional Zionist proxy, systematically oppressing Muslims.

Recent interference in the Waqf Property Act in India was cited as a stark warning to the Muslim Ummah. In light of this, the declaration made the following demands:

1. All economic, military, and diplomatic relations with Israel must be severed immediately.

2. Trade embargoes and sanctions must be imposed against the Zionist regime.

3. Muslim nations must provide comprehensive support—including medical aid, food, housing, and defense—to the oppressed people of Gaza.

4. A coordinated diplomatic campaign must be launched to isolate Israel internationally.

5. Strong protests and diplomatic measures must be taken by the OIC and Muslim countries against India’s Hindutva regime, especially its aggression on Muslim rights like the interference in Waqf properties.

The declaration firmly stated that standing with Gaza is not only a matter of compassion, but a duty of honor for the Ummah. Silence from leaders today, it warned, will lead them to be judged by history tomorrow.

Appeal to Bangladesh Government:

The third set of demands was directed at the Government of Bangladesh. As a Muslim-majority country born from a struggle against injustice, Bangladesh holds a historical and moral position on Palestine. The declaration emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have already pledged their solidarity with Gaza, and that any silence at the state level would be seen as disregard for the will and conscience of its people. Accordingly, the following demands were made:

1. The "except Israel" clause on Bangladeshi passports must be reinstated, with an explicit position of non-recognition of Israel as a state.

2. All agreements with Israeli entities must be annulled.

3. The government must take effective measures to send aid and medical support to Gaza.

4. All government bodies and import policies must issue clear directives to boycott products of Zionist companies.

5. Bangladesh must officially protest against the persecution of Muslims and minorities under India’s Hindutva government, as Hindutva has emerged as an active partner of global Zionism.

6. School curricula and education policies must include content on Al-Aqsa, Palestine, and the struggles of Muslims, to raise a new generation rooted in historical consciousness and Muslim identity.

The declaration warned that a state is not merely defined by its borders, but is a sacred trust. Failure to uphold this trust will not be forgiven by history.

A pledge as muslims:

In the final part of the declaration, a solemn pledge was made by the attendees as members of the Muslim Ummah:

Since Al-Quds is a part of faith, and the liberation of Bayt al-Maqdis is destined to occur at the hands of future generations from among us, and since Zionism was born out of our own historical forgetfulness—if we fail to prepare today, our children might inherit a future where Bangladesh too becomes a new Gaza under the combined threat of Zionism and Hindutva.

The declaration concluded with these pledges:

1. We will spontaneously boycott every product, company, and entity that supports or sustains the occupation by Israel.

2. We will prepare our society and future generations to preserve and reclaim the symbols and legacy of Islam and the Muslim Ummah, In Sha Allah.

3. We will raise our children with the resolve to protect their ideals and homeland, willing to sacrifice their lives and wealth if necessary.

4. We will not remain divided, because a divided people are swiftly conquered.

We shall remain united, so that Bangladesh never becomes the next Gaza. This pledge will be reflected in our homes, language, history, education, culture, economy, and society.

The declaration affirmed that the martyrs of Gaza do not only seek our prayers—they seek our readiness. Peace be upon the people of Gaza, those who have shown unparalleled patience, unwavering faith, and who have kindled the flame of resistance amidst the ruins. Peace be upon those who bore the world’s silence with a smile and engraved their names in the chronicles of dignity. Peace be upon the martyrs Hind Rajab, Reem, and Fadi Abu Saleh, whose blood has further sanctified Gaza’s sacred soil, and whose eyes held the flame of resistance. Peace be upon the proud residents of Bayt al-Maqdis, who still cry aloud: Al-Quds Lana—Jerusalem is ours!

Tribute to people of Gaza:

The declaration ended with a heartfelt salute to the people of Gaza: “You have written an epic of faith, patience, and sacrifice. You have shown the world the power of Imaan and Tawakkul. From the land of Shah Jalal and Shariatullah, we, the people of Bangladesh, salute you. We offer our love and blessings to your martyrs, and from our hearts we pray: O Allah, make this brave land of Gaza a rock upon which all Zionist conspiracies shall shatter.”