The Palestinian Diaries: A day of culture and solidarity unites hearts
Palestinian spirit shines through in heartwarming event
SHAH ALAM: The Karangkraf Complex came alive today with The Palestinian Diaries: A Day of Culture, Stories, and Solidarity, a heartwarming and enlightening event that shed light on the deep-rooted struggles and rich heritage of the Palestinian people.
Organised by Sinar Daily, the event was designed to create awareness and solidarity with Palestine, touching the hearts of everyone in attendance.
The event began with a heartfelt speech by the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali, who shared powerful insights into the current situation in Gaza and the unyielding spirit of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity.
“We are so grateful to be able to speak directly to our brothers and sisters in Malaysia. Thank you for standing with us. Palestinians continue to suffer,” Walid said as he addressed the crowd.
He shared the latest harrowing statistics, revealing that 41,879 Palestinians have been martyred, excluding the many journalists, healthcare workers, and civilians who have lost their lives.
Yet, amid these numbers, his message was clear: the Palestinian spirit remains unbroken.
With over five million Palestinians displaced—half of them now living in diaspora—he called attention to the world’s failure to recognise Palestine as one united nation.
However, Walid was hopeful.
He pointed out that the International Court of Justice has acknowledged the Israeli occupation as unlawful, and he expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
He firmly believes that responsible leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, should be held accountable for the ongoing atrocities.
Walid concluded his moving speech with a profound message: “The strong will only become stronger.”
His words were a tribute to the resilient Palestinians who continue to hope for a future where their capital, Al-Quds, is restored, and they can once again pray together in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of Nativity.
A Family’s Tearful Testimony of Survival
The event took an emotional turn when Mohammad H. AlAqad, a Palestinian professor at Universiti Malaya, shared his family’s heart-wrenching story of survival.
Having not seen his family in Palestine for 14 years, Mohammad recounted his emotional return to Gaza in 2023, just before the tragic events of October 7 unfolded.
His wife, who accompanied him, also shared her side of the story, painting a vivid picture of the hardships they endured.
Despite these struggles, the family has managed to rebuild their lives in Malaysia, though their hearts remain with the Palestinians who continue to fight for freedom.
A Film That Touched Hearts
The audience was further moved by Ahmad Alive, a short film directed by Yusuf Omar.
The film tells the real-life story of a Palestinian named Ahmad Ghunaim, who experienced the horrors of displacement and persecution.
Through the lens of Ahmad’s journey, the film beautifully highlighted the indomitable spirit of the Palestinian people, resonating deeply with the audience.
The Role of Digital Literacy in Palestinian Advocacy
The event continued with a workshop hosted by Revda Selver, from the human rights nonprofit Friends of Palestine, who spoke about the critical role of digital literacy in the Palestinian struggle.
She emphasised how Palestinians, silenced by the lack of traditional communication tools, have turned to social media to share their stories with the world.
Revda stressed that understanding how to effectively navigate and use digital platforms is key to amplifying Palestinian voices.
A Message of Hope
As The Palestinian Diaries: A Day of Culture, Stories, and Solidarity drew to a close, attendees shared heartfelt reflections on the day's powerful message of unity and awareness.
Liew Li Tian, a 19-year-old student from the University of Wollongong, expressed how the event addressed her concerns about the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
"The ambassador answered my curiosity about the possibility of the genocide ending. From the bottom of my heart, I hope it won’t take decades," she said.
Nurafidah Mohd Khalid, a teacher from Sekolah Menengah Putrajaya Presint 9, attended the event with her students.
She described the programme as deeply enlightening, especially in its detailed recounting of Palestine’s history and the ongoing struggles its people face.
Nurafidah also reflected on Revda’s insights into how Zionists have manipulated media to shape their narrative.
"It was eye-opening to see how the truth has been distorted, and how important it is to counter this with facts and real stories," she said.
The event left attendees with a renewed sense of purpose, inspiring them to continue advocating for truth and justice in the face of ongoing oppression.
