In a powerful show of solidarity with the people of Palestine, thousands gathered on Saturday, April 12, at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, under the banner of "Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh" for a nationwide campaign titled ‘March for Gaza’. The event was marked by a strong denunciation of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza and a call for immediate action from the global Muslim community.

The declaration for the program was read out by Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, where he fervently urged Muslim leaders across the world to cut all diplomatic and economic ties with Israel. The statement condemned the Israeli military operations in Gaza as acts of genocide and called for an urgent halt to the aggression that has claimed thousands of civilian lives.

Participants from all walks of life—regardless of political or professional background—streamed into Suhrawardy Udyan through various processions originating from different parts of the capital. The gathering included political activists from parties such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports (NCPC), as well as poets, artists, and prominent social media influencers.

The speakers at the rally took a united stand against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, condemning what they described as war crimes and systematic genocide against the Palestinian people. They demanded that the international community hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others responsible for orchestrating the violence accountable through the International Criminal Court.

During the event, the national mosque's Khatib, Maulana Abdul Malek, led a solemn prayer session for the oppressed people of Palestine. His emotional supplication brought many in the crowd to tears as they raised their hands seeking divine intervention and peace for the region.

The declaration also emphasized the need for a cohesive global Muslim response against Israeli aggression. It implored Muslim-majority nations to go beyond verbal condemnation and adopt real measures, including the termination of bilateral agreements and economic relations with Israel.

The protest transformed Suhrawardy Udyan into a sea of flags, placards, and passionate slogans. Attendees echoed chants demanding justice for the victims of Gaza and expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian resistance. Calls for boycotts of Israeli goods and companies linked to the occupation were also heard throughout the rally.

Organizers stated that the ‘March for Gaza’ was not an isolated event but the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at raising awareness and exerting international pressure to stop the atrocities in Gaza. They pledged to continue their movement through educational programs, public demonstrations, and global advocacy, with the hope of awakening the conscience of the world.

In a rare moment of political unity, representatives from rival political factions stood shoulder to shoulder, setting aside ideological differences to speak out against the humanitarian crisis. The rally sent a strong message of solidarity, reinforcing that the issue of Palestine transcends political boundaries and is a matter of global human rights.

As the sun set over Dhaka, chants for justice and freedom for Palestine continued to echo through the gathering, affirming the deep emotional and moral connection that many in Bangladesh feel for the Palestinian cause.