Arabic version: احتجاجات عالمية تتوحد من أجل فلسطين في يوم القدس

Tens of thousands participated in worldwide demonstrations on al-Quds Day, an annual event held on the final Friday of Ramadan to show solidarity with Palestine and oppose Israeli occupation. Rallies occurred in various countries, including Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kashmir, and Yemen. In Tehran, crowds chanted “death to Israel” and “death to America” as the military conflict entered its 14th day.

According to Al Jazeera, this year’s observance coincided with escalating violence, as recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran reportedly resulted in at least 1,444 fatalities, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Despite the ongoing strikes, demonstrators showed resilience, gathering in Tehran and other Iranian cities.

In Kashmir, protesters burned mock coffins depicting US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voicing their opposition to both nations. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Indonesia, demonstrators expressed solidarity with Palestinians and Iran outside the US embassy.

Notably, the United Kingdom banned its al-Quds Day march for the first time in 40 years, citing concerns over public disorder related to the volatile situation in the Middle East. This decision marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to such protests, with the last ban occurring in 2012 against the far-right English Defence League.

Al-Quds Day, established by Iran’s first supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979, aims to highlight the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims and the ongoing struggle against Israeli occupation. The event has been a focal point for expressing solidarity with Palestinians and opposing Western influence in the region.