Be 'careful' in calling for Palestine Solidarity Week review, PAS tells PKR reps

PAS has taken issue with PKR representatives who have used terms like “grudges”, “resentment” and “violence” as the basis of their concerns in calling for a review of the Palestine Solidarity Week in schools.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan urged the group of PKR politicians to be “more careful” in this matter so that they are not seen as trying to paint the wrong picture of the Palestinian struggle.

While the Islamist party agrees that schools should refrain from extreme displays of solidarity, Takiyuddin said the usage of such terms may expose the PKR representatives to misunderstanding.

“They can be mistaken as subtly sabotaging the Education Ministry’s good efforts to expose our students towards the ongoing conflict in that region and also to Malaysia’s policy and stance on the matter.

“It can also be seen as though they want to continue the narrative and prejudice championed by Western media and those who support the Israeli apartheid regime when referring to the struggle of the Palestinians,” he said in a statement today.

This came after 12 PKR representatives called for a review of the Education Ministry’s Palestine Solidarity Week so that schools and public institutions are free from elements of hatred and violence.

In a joint statement yesterday, the group, all of whom are of Chinese ethnicity, said bringing the issue of international conflict to school is inappropriate.

They highlighted that the government and the people need to maintain a rational mind while supporting the Palestinian struggle and never raise the issue of grudges and violence in public institutions.

DAP also made a similar call for the programme to be reviewed and action taken against those advocating violent acts, while also reaffirming its stance in solidarity with the Palestinian people on humanitarian principles.

Better guidelines

Pointing out that all the PKR representatives who called for the review of the solidarity programme are non-Muslims and are from the same ethnicity, Takiyuddin raised concerns that it would expose the group’s objections towards misinterpretations and notions that are neither healthy nor productive.

“PAS agrees that the somewhat excessive displays of the programme in several schools, as reported previously, should be avoided.

“But it is not a core or important issue to be used as a point to cancel or reconsider it (solidarity week programme).”

Further, he called on the Education Ministry to provide more detailed guidelines as guidance to schools and educational institutions regarding the programme.

Toy guns and flag burning

In the past week, photos went viral on social media depicting a school programme of school children carrying toy guns while donning headbands and the black and white “Palestinian scarf”, voicing support for Palestine.

While the incident occurred before the ministry’s designated period of the Palestine Solidarity Week, which starts today until Nov 3, the programme drew criticism from several individuals and political parties.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the use of replica weapons was not part of the established guidelines of the programme, and that the incident was under investigation.

In a separate video dated Oct 19, a man believed to be a teacher from an Islamic school under PAS’ Sekolah Rendah Integrasi Teras Islam (Sriti) chain in Kedah, was seen setting an Israeli flag on fire while surrounded by students and several adults who cheered.

The man, decked in a maroon red jubah and white turban, had shot a flaming arrow at the Israeli flag, which had “Israel koyak” (Israel is triggered) and “#cuak” (afraid) written on it.

Chants of “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) were also heard as the flag burnt to the ground. - Mkini