Local News

Dar condemns Gaza killings

MUSLIMS along Kawawa Road in Dar es Salaam on Friday take part in a peaceful demonstration to commemorate International Quds Day while opposing the injustices allegedly committed against Palestinians by Israelis.(Photo by Staff Photographer)

THE government has called on the United Nations to ensure peace and stability is restored between Israel and Palestine. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Friday condemned the killings of innocent civilians among them the elderly, women and children in Gaza.

“The government calls upon the international community to continue supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict peacefully. Core to the solution of this conflict is availing the people of Palestine the right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

“The government therefore maintains its support to the two-state solution with Palestine and Israel co-existing in harmony and ensuring security of the state of Israel,” reads the statement in part.

Meanwhile, Muslim community in Dar es Salaam has requested intervention by the international community to facilitate cessation of the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict which has claimed hundreds of innocent lives, women and children inclusive.

Speaking at the occasion to mark the International Quds Day, the event was observed in Dar es Salaam on Friday by peaceful demonstrations starting from Ilala Boma area to Kigogo Post Grounds, the Chief Guest Hemedi Jalala Mwakidenga asked the international community, both Muslims and non-Muslims to raise a voice for the restoration of peace and tranquility in Gaza Strip.

The Tanzania’s Ithna ‘ashara Community (T.I.C) organised the event and called for the world to help end the conflict between Israel and Palestine which has resulted to gross violation of human rights, torture and massacre of innocent Palestinians. Israel bombardment has caused untold suffering to the Palestinians.

Imam Mwakidenga from the Ghadiir Mosque situated at Kigogo in Dar es Salaam, said the peaceful demonstration staged in the city signified opposition to Israel’s occupation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque which was used by Palestine Muslims for worship and also catered for the Kiblah of all Muslims around the world.

“We have gathered here today to raise voice, unite with all peace-loving Muslims and non-Muslims around the world to strongly oppose the occupation of Al-Aqsa mosque by the Israel government. The Mosque belonged to Palestine Muslims before it was snatched by the Zionists,” Mwakidenga explained.

The ongoing Gaza conflict have flared after the allegations issued by Israel government to Hamas leadership which controls Gaza region, that they were part of kidnapping and killings of three Israel teenagers in June, the conflict now has left 800 Palestinians dead and many rendered homeless.

Another speaker, Sheikh Ali Basaleh observed that those killed and injured or made homeless were not only Muslims in Gaza but Christians as well, therefore the international community regardless faith differences should come together to oppose the atrocities and crime against humanity in Gaza.

Also Maissara Ally who is a Secretary at Iranian Embassy here in Tanzania has appealed to all Muslim - women and others to come together to demand for peace and oppose the killings of women and children by Israel in Gaza.

International Quds Day is the annual event which was pioneered by the former Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini soon after Iran Islamic revolution in 1979 and usually observed on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan by Muslims around the world, to oppose illegal occupation and atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians. The conflict started in 1948 when Israelis returned to the Middle East.