Eight cities hold vigil for Gaza

Dubai: A candlelight vigil for Gaza was held simultaneously in eight cities across the Arab world on Tuesday evening to condemn the Arab and international community's silence on the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

A Dubai-based group, formed in response to the war to raise awareness on the plight of the people in Gaza, initiated a joint candlelight vigil across the Arab world to manifest the unity of the Arab streets.

Hundreds in Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Dubai, Manama, Muscat, Kuwait and Ramallah participated in the vigils, according to the organisers.

Vigils were also planned in Cairo and Arab cities in Israel but were not granted permission by the authorities, said organisers.

Iyad Al Nadi, a member of the group, told Gulf News that the idea behind the initiative was "to unify the voice of the Arabs and to send a message to Arab leaders that the people of the Arab world are united against the Israeli aggression," said Al Nadi.

The group organised and mobilised for the vigil through Facebook.com and friends in the eight different cities.

Symbols

The organisers, wore black T-shirts emblazoned with the words 'Gaza Dying to Live', and wrapped their wrists in chains in many cities as a symbol for besieged Gaza, while spelling Gaza using candles. The organisers also issued a unified statement under the title 'For Gaza' which was distributed in all eight cities addressing Arab and the International inability to act against what they called 'Zionist terrorism'.

"The Arab league is asleep, most Arab regimes are accomplices, the United Nations is silent, and when it was awakened by the assembly, it was not up to the level of tragedy that had damaged the roads of Gaza with pain, occupation, blockade, and the surrounding silence.... Are you not tired of our words, our protests, our appeals, our frustration, our hunger and the global manipulation of the people of the world by the United States of America?

"It is time for the United States to cease its abuse of our people. Gaza awaits your conscience and will continue its resistance in dignity," read the statement.

On the 12th day of the Israeli aggression the Palestinian death toll neared 700, including children and women.

In Dubai more than 400 gathered at Dubai Media city's amphitheatre and sang nationalistic songs while donations of food, medicine and clothes were made.

More than 2,000 people gathered in the middle of Ramallah city, including Islamic and Christian religious leaders, to stress that the people of Gaza are integral part of their nation.

Mujahid Khallaf, one of the organisers in Ramallah, told Gulf News that he wanted to organise this pan Arab vigil to show that the will of the Arab people to be united was not confined by mere borders.

In Muscat, a small group of young people gathered outside the Palestinian embassy to show their solidarity with the suffering people of Gaza.

Lending a helping hand

-Donations will be accepted until Sunday for the "Deliver Hope to People in Gaza" aid campaign launched by Aramex and the Majid Al Futtaim Group. Materials needed: First-aid kits, medical emergency supplies, medicines for chronic illnesses, personal hygiene products, non-perishable foods, new clothes, tents, blankets. Locations where donations will be accepted: Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Sharjah City Centre and Ajman City Centre. --The UAE Red Crescent Society Gaza campaign is soliciting donations at Mall of the Emirates, Wafi City and at Union Co-operative Society outlets in Safa, Al Aweer, Al Twar and Al Hamriya besides at UAE Red Crescent society offices in Al Twar, Dubai.Materials needed: Food that can be preserved for long periods such as rice and milk powder and new clothes.Call Red Crescent at 800733 for collections of items.Companies can also contact the UAE Red Crescent Society to set up collection stalls at their own premises.Donations can be made to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Account number 20000417 and Dubai Islamic Bank account number 03520534675401.

-TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holdings, launched a humanitarian aid campaign yesterday to collect medical supplies, clothing and non-perishable food items in support of the suffering Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Materials Needed: First aid kits, personal hygiene products, medical supplies, tents, blankets (new and if used, in good condition), canned food (no meat), Clothes (new and if used, in good condition).

Locations where donations will be accepted: Dubai Media City Building No.2 and Building No.14. They are accessible 24 hours a day for the duration of the campaign.

-Qanat Al Qasba will host an open day to families and children, titled, "To the children of Gaza, with Love," which will take place on Friday January 9 from 4pm to 10 pm. The proceeds of this open day will be allocated to the children of Gaza.

Did you participate in any of the Gaza protests? What more can UAE residents do to help the Gaza victims?

The mindless violence in Gaza shocked and saddened me as the New Year began on such a bloody note. The massacre of innocent people continued unabated while the world watched in silence. What will it take for peace to be restored to our world and how long do we have to wait? I appreciate all the charity.
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Kolkata,India
Posted: January 08, 2009, 18:39

Why is the world media so complacent when it comes to the Gaza incident when they have consistently reminded the world of 9/11? Goes to show on which side the media leans. The unfair massacre of Palestinians in the light of the Zionist agenda should be admonished in the same way as Hitler's treatment of the Jews eons ago. Have they forgotten how it felt to be regarded as ?subhuman?? They now treat Palestinian life as nothing but a mere obstacle. I feel the Arab countries must unite and aid Palestine in every possible way by granting them refuge and more. It is not anymore a matter of who is wrong or right but rather how many innocent lives must suffer. Please do open more donation centres, where we can donate food, clothing and any thing else to make life a little bit easier for the Palestinian people.
Mehnaz
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2009, 18:08

This is a pointless act. Why UAE should care about helping terrorists? Did we care about victims of Mumbai attacks? Do we care for Darfur massacre?
Alex
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 08, 2009, 12:17

I understand people's need to hold demonstrations and vigils. But what is really needed is for the government of Israel and Palestine along with the United Nations (or who ever they would prefer) to sit on a table in a locked room until they can reach a united decision as to who has what piece of land. Splitting it in half would be the logical way. I am not looking at this from a religious perspective, just based on the very basic loss of life.
Helen Al-Amily
Southampton,UK
Posted: January 08, 2009, 01:26