Bangladesh’s strong support for Palestine sparks hope

While global powers remain silent over the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, the people of Bangladesh have made their stance loud and clear: they stand firmly for a free Palestine. With remarkable courage and solidarity, they have voiced their strongest protest yet.

On Saturday (April 12), from 9 a.m. onward, a sea of people surged through the streets surrounding Dhaka. The air echoed with the roar of protest marches, and the Palestinian flag waved in every hand. It was as if a piece of Palestine had descended upon the heart of the capital. From Mirpur, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Banglamotor, and Shahbagh — processions flowed into Suhrawardy Udyan throughout the morning.

People also gathered in large numbers from areas surrounding Dhaka. Suhrawardy Udyan was overflowed with protesters, draped in the colors of the Palestinian flag. Human rights groups, student organizations, social collectives, and ordinary citizens carried banners and placards bearing slogans like “Free Free Palestine,” “Gaza, We Are With You,” and “Stop Genocide in Gaza.”

Leaders and representatives from various political parties — including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, Hefazat-e-Islam — as well as prominent Islamic scholars and influential figures from all walks of life, expressed solidarity with the event titled “March for Gaza.”

However, this also raises a deeper concern: why has the world not united beyond religious lines in the face of genocide? The call for justice in Gaza should not be a Muslim issue alone — people of all faiths and backgrounds must come together against mass atrocities. In fact, many non-Muslims have taken a stronger stance against this war than the Muslim world. Even many Jews in Israel have joined anti-war protests.

Those who desire peace, those who want freedom for Palestine their voices have become one. This is the united cry of freedom-loving people across the globe.

Let us all stand with the oppressed regardless of religious identity. The shared hope of justice-seekers is clear: the brutal massacre of innocent civilians and children in Gaza must end. This human-on-human bloodshed must be stopped. Together, let us sing the songs of peace, the songs of harmony.