KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Mosques and surau under the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) have been directed to hold special prayers tomorrow for the safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission bound for Gaza.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said the prayers also seek God’s protection and ease for the mission, which set sail on Aug 31 with the participation of several Malaysian organisations.
“I urge Malaysians to join in praying for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission in support of Palestine, to be granted safety and success,” he said in a Facebook post tonight.
Na’im described the international mission as a noble struggle for Palestinian independence and stressed that all initiatives to ease the suffering of Palestinians must be supported, particularly by Muslims.
The flotilla, comprising 24 ships, departed Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday carrying essential aid and humanitarian messages, with more than 1,000 participants from 44 countries, including 15 Malaysians.
In the next phase, a second group of 15 Malaysian delegates will depart from Italy on Sept 4 alongside international participants, coinciding with a third Malaysian group currently in Tunisia.
The GSF brings together delegations from Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, with all emphasising non-violence and the flotilla’s role as a symbol of global solidarity with Gaza.
-- BERNAMA
