Over 200 people gathered at Dearborn City Hall on September 3 to protest Israel’s occupation of Palestine on the international day of demonstrations known as Al Quds Day. The day is held in solidarity with the oppressed people of the world. PHOTOS: Natasha Dado/TAAN

DEARBORN — More than 200 people rallied outside of Dearborn City Hall to express solidarity with the occupied people of Palestine on Friday, Sep. 3. Al-Quds or Jerusalem Day rallies take place annually around the world on the last Friday of Ramadan. Demonstrators speak out against Zionism, the state of Israel and its control of Jerusalem that has significance to Islam. The Jerusalem Committee with support from local groups and community organizations assembled the rally to also bring immediate attention to the plight of people in Gaza.

Some in the Jewish community participated in the rally to show their support for the cause. Rally speaker, community activist an Arab American Political Action Committee Vice President Tarek Baydoun said at least 43 people were killed and more than 100 injured by a bomb attack in Pakistan at an al-Quds rally Sep.3. The attack targeted protestors for opposing the Zionist’s control of Jerusalem, and showing support for Palestinians who are oppressed under the occupation. 

“You are truly the blessed and honorable ones. Unfortunately, we take for granted the life we live today, and today, one day out of this year, and every year, with the will of God, we will remember as we do everyday the plight inflicted on the Palestinian people. Millions upon millions around the world would like to gather as we do today but fear death, they fear persecution, political, physical and otherwise. Let us re-double our efforts and remember that we are not human if we don’t feel for Palestine and oppressed people everywhere around the world,” Baydoun said.

The Jerusalem Committee is calling upon the international community to utilize all methods available to stop the collective illegal punishment imposed on the people of Gaza by the Zionist regime, and is asking the U.S. to end all forms of support for it. The Jerusalem Committee also wants an immediate boycott of all commercial organizations that support and sustain the occupation of Palestine.

“Even as free people living in a democratic country, who supposedly have our hands extended to anything we desire, we will never be free until al-Quds is free. This world will not be free until al-Quds is free,” community activist and rally speaker Fatima Mohammadi said.  According to Mohammadi preventing the export of Palestinian products to the rest of the world is merely an effort to control the economy in Gaza while keeping it in a complete chokehold from the countries around it.

Council on American Islamic Relations-Michigan Executive Director Dawud Walid said people tend to forget there is occupied land that belongs to people in Syria and Lebanon. “We should not forget about these two countries as well,” Walid said.  Walid has little faith in the new round of peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis, which are being mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

“Now how in the world can there be a realistic discussion about peace talks when an entity which represents the elected government of the Palestinian people during a fair election that was monitored by international inspectors including former president Jimmy Carter is not at the peace table?” Walid asked.  “Adversaries sit down with adversaries to discuss and negotiate and make peace. You don’t sit down with someone who’s not a legitimate representative of the people to make peace with his people. This is complete rubbish, so let us keep this in mind and not get disheartened when the peace talks break down, because they will break down. This is my forecast, my forecast is these peace talks will fail miserably, despite the fact that we all want peace for the people who reside in that region.”