Millions of people in Iran and across the world are taking to the streets to mark the International Quds Day, voicing their solidarity with Palestinians and decrying Israeli genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, the spokesman of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the director-general of Intifada committee in Tehran, announced earlier that the pro-Palestine rallies in Iran would start at 10:00 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) and were to be held in more than 900 cities across the country.
Sharif underlined that the slogan of this year's Quds Day march is, "O al-Quds, we are committed to our pledge.”
Al-Quds Day, or simply Quds Day, is an annual, international day held every year on the last Friday of Ramadan to express support for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Large rallies are held, usually beginning after the communal Friday prayers, as Israel continues its attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, established Quds Day in 1979 shortly after the Islamic Revolution in Iran to show solidarity with Palestinians. It has since become a symbol of resistance.
Iranians are gathering to mark International Quds Day to express support for Palestinians,
The mass rallies are held in many countries in the West Asian region, including Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, as well as many others across the globe.
Senior Iranian officials are attending the rally in Tehran, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf about to address the event.
Freedom-seekers view Quds Day as a legitimate expression of solidarity and a crucial reminder of the plight of Palestinians.
Quds Day demonstrations have expanded beyond the Islamic world, drawing participants and support for Palestinians even in Europe and America, reflecting a broader humanitarian concern.
The Palestinian issue remains central to the Islamic Ummah. Oppressive capitalist policies have displaced Palestinians from their homeland, replacing them with a foreign population and a terrorist regime.
Quds Day is a crucial reminder that Palestinian liberation is a global responsibility, demanding justice and self-determination.
A united front against the Zionist regime is necessary. Recent atrocities in Gaza highlight the urgent need for international accountability for Israel's actions, including the targeting of civilians, infrastructure destruction, and the Gaza blockade – blatant violations of international law.
Western powers' hypocrisy in the face of Israeli aggression underscores the need for independent voices to defend Palestine.