Millions of Muslims from across the world took part in demonstrations in their cities to mark International Quds Day and demonstrate that Palestinians are not alone in the face of Israeli occupiers.
Back in 1979, the founder of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini named the last Friday of the blessed month of Ramadan the Quds Day to keep the Palestinian cause alive in the Muslim world. The day is marked every year across the globe with the participation of large masses of people.
According to reports, the pro-Palestinian rallies turned deadly in Abuja after the police opened fire on demonstrators, killing one and injuring several others.
One of the injured was shot in the chest and two others were shot in the legs. The injured have been rushed to the hospital.
Videos from Abuja show police firing tear gas at the march and protestors scrambling for cover.
Thousands of people gathered in Palestine Street, in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, to voice support for Palestine as they had a special speaker, Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement Ziyad al-Nakhalah.
Addressing the event, al-Nakhalah said the daily incidents that can be witnessed at al-Aqsa Mosque are enough for all to "see the truth".
Pointing to the readiness of Palestinian fighters in the West Bank, he said, "We will defend our religion and history in al-Quds."
Those who think that Palestinians may stop fighting are suffering from delusion, he said, adding, "We will continue the confrontation even if it takes 1,000 years to liberate Palestine."
Meanwhile, in a statement on the occasion of the special day, the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement said the Muslim world is responsible for confronting Israeli occupation.
"All the Muslim world is responsible for liberating al-Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque because this is the heart of confrontation with enemies that have occupied our land and killed and displaced our people," it said.
Hundreds of thousands of Yemeni people participated in Quds Day rallies in the capital Sana'a on Friday despite the rainy weather.
According to the Yemeni outlet Al-Masirah, demonstrators carried flags of Palestine and Yemen, chanting slogans against the Israeli regime while setting Israeli flags on fire.
"The Palestinian cause is a pivotal issue of the Muslim Ummah and is the frontline of religious and human priorities; Palestine is a correct goal that our people move toward and the enemy will not be able to deviate from our path," reads a statement issued at the end of today's demonstrations.
Muslims in other countries such as Bahrain, Syria, Malaysia, India, Kashmir, Pakistan, and Tanzania also held demonstrations and events to mark the day.
News ID : 1826