By: Suziana Che Wil

Translation by: Suhadatul Fatonah Jusip

SERDANG – Concern with global issues, Universiti Putra Malaysia through Alumni Relations Centre UPM (ARCUPM) with Chapter Alumni YOSH UPM, Student Representative Council Session 2022/2023 and Chapter Student Ambassador (CSA) Session 2023/2024 and strategic partners from UPM Alumni Association, College Representative Council, Faculty Representative Council and MyFundAction has held  ‘Solidariti UPM Untukmu Palestin’ Program.

The program held at Dewan Putra 1, Kolej Tan Sri Aishah Ghani UPM, at night of 10th November 2023 has gained support from UPM community consists of staff, students, and UPM alumni that have gathered and assembled in harmony to show compassion and empathy toward Palestinian that is being oppressed by the zionist on their own land.

Almost 400 students, alumni and UPM community unites to express this sense of solidarity. Students of multiple races and religions also present as they realize that this is not a religious issue but it is related to a universal humanitarian issue that should be emphasized because every individual in the world has the right to live in peace in their beloved homeland.

The program also serves as one of the initial steps to respond to and support and spread messages about humanity, peace and universal serenity.  This program also aims to foster the sense of concern and good values ​​among students as well as the sense of expressing gratitude, peace and security that we are blessed with today.

Also present to support the program are Ybhg. UPM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Prof. Dr. Ariffin Abdu; Member of the University Board of Directors, Ybrs. Mr. Sabrie Mohamad Salleh; Chief Director of Operations of MyFundAction; Mrs. Siti Aishah Shahid; Deputy Director of ARCUPM, Ybrs. Mr. Fahmi Azar Mistar; and Founder of Cinta Gaza Malaysia, Ybrs. Mr. Nadir Al-Nuri Kamaruzaman.

Students are also in luck to physically meet and listen to the sharing from Founder of Cinta Gaza Malaysia, Mr. Nadir Al-Nuri regarding the disaster and tragedy that is happening in Palestine, especially in the badly affected area of ​​Gaza.

“Perhaps, here our needs are still met but not for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. When their public facilities like hospitals are bombed, when they lack clean water, electricity and internet are denied, despite these they are still holding on as they believe that Allah SWT is with them.”

“I, myself, were not able to contact my children and wife who are in Gaza for eight days. However, I believed they were safe because I was still calm and alhamdulillah, I finally got in contact with them and they are still safe after the challenging journey to flee to South Gaza.”

“Gaza is getting more critical as the situation has gotten worse than how it began. But if we ask whoever is in Gaza, they will express their gratitude for the possibility to syahid whenever. And I am calling for all of us to continue supporting the agenda to save Palestine by providing them with any form of help to show our support and solidarity to them," he said.

‘Tabung UPM Untukmu Palestin’ is also launched during the program in which the fund will be fully handled by Malaysian Muslim Welfare Fund Foundation (MyFundAction) which is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has officially merge under MyAqsaDefenders Group to ensure the mission of this Palestinian humanitarian fund is a success.

Furthermore, UPM Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Prof. Dr. Ariffin Abdu is also standing together with MyAqsaDefenders among the UPM community.

The clear message that is conveyed through this program is that hopefully this small effort and our 'small' voice will play a part in freeing Palestine from cruelty and oppression. Hopefully this small effort will also exert pressure and tell the world that Palestine is not alone.

Date of Input: 16/11/2023 | Updated: 21/11/2023 | shahirahalia