JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 24 – In a heartfelt celebration of joy and solidarity with Palestinians following the ceasefire, students from the International Student Society (ISS) Palestine and ISS Egypt at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) organized a “Ceasefire Celebration in Gaza” on Friday, January 24, 2025. The event, held in front of Masjid Sultan Ismail at UTM, aimed to honor the recent ceasefire in Gaza and promote unity among Palestinian, Egyptian, Arab, and international students.
The event attracted approximately 150 international students and local participants, many of whom had attended Friday prayers at the mosque. Focusing on solidarity and ongoing support for Gaza, the program emphasized the importance of standing with the Palestinian people during this critical time. It also highlighted the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). UTM’s core values of integrity, synergy, excellence, and sustainability were reflected throughout the event.
The celebration began with a recitation from the Quran, followed by speeches that emphasized the resilience of Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause. Maysaa Awad, the program director and President of ISS Palestine, delivered an inspiring speech about Gaza’s triumph and the crucial role that students, as part of the Muslim ummah, play in supporting the Palestinian cause. “This celebration is not just about marking the end of a war. It’s about reinforcing our support for the Palestinian people during this difficult time and fostering unity among the student community. Palestinians in Gaza need steadfast moral and material backing to maintain their resilience, a responsibility that falls upon every free Muslim and person of conscience,” she stated.
Voices from students of diverse backgrounds added depth to the event. Nasser Darwish, a Palestinian student, delivered a passionate speech on the significance of the Palestinian cause, urging Muslim solidarity and collective action. Meanwhile, the President of the Yemeni Student Union led chants of support for Gaza, energizing the crowd with calls for resistance and resilience, which participants enthusiastically echoed. Arab students expressed their deep commitment to the Palestinian cause, reflecting shared pain and hope for peace.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Students from Palestine, Egypt, and other countries emphasized the importance of such events in maintaining international attention on Gaza. One participant from Egypt remarked, “The sense of unity here is incredible. It reminds us that we are not alone in this struggle for justice and peace.” Palestinian students were especially moved by the overwhelming show of solidarity from their peers, expressing hope that events like this would continue to raise awareness and support for their homeland.
The event concluded with a communal activity during which students expressed their commitment to supporting Gaza. Encouraged by the event’s success, participants left with renewed solidarity. The organizing committee expressed gratitude to UTM International for their support and approval, which allowed students from diverse backgrounds to come together to celebrate peace and unity.
