Kochi: Thousands of people from across Kerala gathered at Marine Drive, Ernakulam, for the Indian Union Muslim League’s (IUML) Gaza Solidarity Conference, voicing strong opposition to Israel’s continuing assault on Gaza. The event was inaugurated by IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab, with Palestinian Ambassador Abdullah Muhammad Abu Shawaesh as chief guest.
Ambassador Abu Shawaesh highlighted the deep history of Palestinian displacement, recalling the Balfour Declaration of 1917 as the beginning of their suffering. He said, “Our suffering did not begin on October 7. It runs deep, through ethnic cleansing and expulsion. This is about humanity, not about religion.” He also noted the historic ties between Indian leaders and Palestine, remembering the friendship between IUML’s late E. Ahamed and Yasser Arafat.
Several IUML leaders, including P.K. Kunhalikutty, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, P.V. Abdul Wahab, Haris Beeran, and M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, addressed the gathering. Many participants wore the keffiyeh, a global symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
Kunhalikutty criticised Israel’s actions, comparing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stance to that of Pharaoh, warning that history shows how tyranny ends. He also questioned the silence of world powers as children in Gaza face mass killings.
Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal condemned Israel’s use of overwhelming force in Gaza, an area smaller than Kerala’s Manjeshwar taluk. He said the event reflects Kerala’s culture of justice and compassion.
The conference also saw participation from Congress leader Sandeep Warrier, Father Paul Thelakkat, Swami Dharma Chaitanya, and other community figures, underscoring wide solidarity across faiths.
