Al-Quds is the Arabic for Jerusalem, the Holy Land. Yawm-al Quds or Al-Quds Day is a day of solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians and all oppressed people in general. All over the world rallies and marches are held on this day, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan. In the west rallies are usually held on the weekend following the Friday.
Mother and daughter challenge the weather and march for Palestine
Victory To Intifada
Flying the flag of victory
The history of Quds Day dates back to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran 25 years ago. One of the first actions Imam Khomeini took as leader of the newly formed Islamic Republic was to cut off the supply of oil to the two apartheid regimes of Israel and South Africa and put sanctions on both of them. He inaugurated Al-Quds day as an integral part of Ramadhan so that Muslims would never forget their responsibility and duty towards Palestine and all oppressed people in the world.
A boy with a Palestinian flag around his shoulders carries an image
of Imam Khomeini who always championed the cause of Palestine
The oppressors are named and shamed -
Blair, Bush, Sharon and Saddam
Occupation of Iraq is not forgotten
Zionism is the new version of Nazism
Zionist Nazis are the same
Only difference is the name
In London this year Al-Quds day was held on Sunday 23rd November. The march commenced from Hyde Park down Park Lane, past Picadally Circus to culminate in a rally at Trafalgar Square.
[ see Poster for Quds Day ]
Liberation of Al-Quds grows out of a field of red tulips,
the red tulips represents the sacrifice of martyrs
A walking stick won't stop this elderly muslimah from walking
the 2 mile route of the march
The weather was particularly bad even for England, it was a chilly day with heavy rain pouring down the whole day. This reporter was drenched to the skin within 10 minutes, and the rain managed to enter the camera - luckily no perminant damage was done. Despite the weather thousands turned up to join the march - young and old, men and women, Muslims and non-Muslims, all united in solidarity with Palestine.
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NETUREI KARTA:
JEWS AGAINST ZIONISM
A member of the Neutera Karta with a placard
"End of Zionism = End of World Terrorism",
Two Muslim sisters smile in agreement
Among the many non-Muslims who joined the Muslims on Quds Day were the familiar faces from the Neutera Karta - Jews Against Zionism. They have consistently shown themselves to be the leaders of the Jewish opposition to zionism. Over the years they have worked particularly closely with Muslim groups - a mutal respect for morality and reverence for God's commands have naturally brought the two communities together, both fighting injustice from a religious platform.
Listen to the crowd chant
"Zionism No Way, Judaism Is Okay"
A member of the Neutera Karta waves a Palestinian flag
in one hand and in the other holds a placard
"Stop the Zionist massacre and persecution of the Palestinians"
Rabbis from the Neturei Karta
Their message was eloquently conveyed from the well chosen words on their placards:
"Zionist spokesmen do not represent world Jewry"
"Jews true to their faith will never recognise zionist occupation in the Holy Land"
"Stop the Zionist massacre and persecution of the Palestinians"
"Give back to the Palestinians their land, homes and property"
"End of Zionism = End of World Terrorism"
Rabbis from the Neturei Karta under a canopy of
Palestinian and Hizbullah flags
Related Resources:
 Listen to lecture by Rabbi Goldstein (Neturei Karta) on Judaism and Zionism
Listen to an interview with Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, spokesperson for the Neturei Karta
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A placard, showing the victims of zionism,
in one hand and an umbrella in the other..
Waving the flag of Hizbullah, families marching for Palestine
Mothers and their babes brave the weather
A united Ummah can defend al-Quds
Jews of the Neutera Karta unite with Muslims
against injustice - against Zionism.
Hizbullah flag flying high above them
The event was organised by the The Justice for Palestine Committee,
a coalition consisting of the Islamic Centre of England, Islamic
Human Rights Commission and other groups
including Innovative Minds.
Massoud Shadjareh
Speaking on behalf of the Justice for Palestine Committee, Massoud Shadjareh first thanked everyone for attending the rally on such a wet day and then introduced Br Rohani who receited the Quran. "Mashallah, to have Quran echoing in this place [the centre of London] on such a day is a baraka in itself."
Mother and daughter with Palestinian flag
Marching outside Starbucks -
a company that is boycotted for its strong links to zionism
Sisters draped in Palestinian scarfs and Hizbullah flag
Above the image of Muhammad al-Durra,
the child murdered by Israeli snipers, are the words
"Israel is the Enemy of Mankind and Humanity"
Massoud Shadjareh ended the rally by thanking everyone on behalf of the Justice for Palestine committee, especially the Rabbis from the Neutera Karta, and stressed the message that the destruction of the state of Israel is important for all of us - "Muslims, Christians and Jews can all start living side by side in peace once this zionist cancer is removed from this earth". He also asked all to remember that the Palestinian issue is not just for one day a year - we must struggle everyday on their behalf and remember to boycott israeli goods every single day.
Download (shift-click) recital (real audio 1 min 10 sec 148Kb)
