By Staff Reporter
In an unprecedented show of solidarity, over 1 million people flooded the streets of Dhaka, on Saturday Bangladesh, to join the “March for Gaza,” a massive rally organized to protest Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and express unwavering support for the Palestinian people.
The event, held at Suhrawardy Udyan, marked one of the largest public gatherings in the nation’s history, bringing together individuals from all walks of life—students, political leaders, Islamic scholars, social activists, and ordinary citizens—united under the banner of the Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh.
A City Transformed by SolidarityFrom early morning, Dhaka transformed into a sea of processions as people converged on Suhrawardy Udyan from every corner of the capital and beyond. By 1:00 PM, two hours before the rally’s official start, the surrounding areas were packed with demonstrators waving Bangladeshi and Palestinian flags, chanting slogans like “Free Palestine,” “Stop the Israeli Aggression,” and “Boycott Israeli Products.” Symbolic coffins and effigies representing civilian casualties in Gaza underscored the grief and resistance at the heart of the protest.
The sheer scale of the gathering brought Dhaka’s traffic to a standstill, with roads like Shahbag, Banglamotor, and Segunbagicha clogged for hours. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police diverted vehicles to manage the chaos, but as one officer noted, “The presence of people stretched half to one kilometer around the venue.” Despite the disruption, the mood remained peaceful yet resolute, with participants determined to amplify their call for justice.A Unified Voice Against InjusticeThe rally, which began at 3:00 PM, featured impassioned speeches from prominent figures, including Islamic speaker Mizanur Rahman Azhari, who remarked, “Geographically, we are far from Palestine, yet each of us carries a Palestine within our hearts; a Gaza resides in our chests.” Political leaders from parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hefazat-e-Islam joined the stage, setting aside differences to demand an end to what they described as Israel’s genocide in Gaza.A key moment came when Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman read a declaration outlining the rally’s demands: an immediate halt to Israeli aggression, the severance of all ties with Israel by Muslim-majority nations, and state-level humanitarian aid for Gaza. The declaration also urged Bangladesh to reinstate the “Except Israel” clause in passports and avoid products linked to Israeli companies.A Pledge to Boycott and ResistOne of the rally’s most striking outcomes was a public oath taken by attendees to boycott Israel-linked products. From Coca-Cola to cosmetics, participants like Dhaka businessman Arman Sheikh and teacher Nasrin Begum shared personal commitments to shun global brands with perceived ties to Israel, opting for local alternatives. “This is my personal way of protesting,” Sheikh said. “There’s nothing stronger than the power of the masses.”The rally also highlighted Bangladesh’s emotional connection to Palestine, despite the geographical distance. As Shaykh Ahmadullah put it, “We, Bangladeshis—regardless of religion or ethnicity—stand in solidarity with them.” The event concluded with prayers led by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Maulana Abdul Malek, a solemn moment that underscored the crowd’s shared resolve.Global Echoes, Local ImpactWhile estimates of the crowd size vary—some sources cite 100,000, others over 2 million—the rally’s significance is undeniable. Organizers hailed it as a historic moment, with social media posts calling it an “unprecedented million people’s march.” The Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh, which orchestrated the event, had garnered significant online traction beforehand, with 73,000 people expressing interest on Facebook alone.The March for Gaza not only amplified Bangladesh’s voice in the global call for Palestinian justice but also showcased the power of collective action. As the crowd dispersed after Maghrib prayers, their message lingered: Dhaka had become, for a day, a beacon of resistance and hope for Gaza.
