The three-day Sumud Nusantara Malaysiaku carnival held recently to raise awareness on Palestinians’ suffering had courted flak due to it also involving a food festival amid an Israel-enforced mass starvation in Gaza.
However, several event attendees whom Malaysiakini interviewed found no issue with the food festival.
According to Noraini Ghani, 34, she said the stalls at the carnival catered to attendees' needs, especially those with children.
“I feel the food festival would not sidetrack us from the misfortune that has been inflicted on Gazans. I’m here to show solidarity with Gaza, not for the food festival.
“However, I feel this (the food festival) is needed for the attendees, especially those who bring young children,” she told Malaysiakini when met at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Another attendee, Sukri Abdullah, 38, said the food festival would help attract more people to the event.
“It’s simple. Though they come for the food, they also get to learn about what’s happening in Gaza.
“So, I don’t see an issue with the food festival. It doesn’t mean we don’t care about our brothers (Gazans),” he added.
‘Apalling, out of touch’
Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperalis (Gegar) had deemed the festival appalling and out of touch.
“How out of touch can you be? As we speak, Palestinians are starving in a genocide; most have reached the direct stage of starvation due to the illegal blockade of Gaza by Israel. Many have died,” it said.
The group also called the event a “gross monetisation and commercialisation” of the Gaza humanitarian crisis.
However, an organiser for the event, the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim), defended their “solidarity” food festival, emphasising it is aimed at advocating and educating Malaysians about Gaza’s plight.
It said the proceeds raised from the vendors participating in the food fest would be channelled to Gaza voluntarily, through zakat and infaq (a form of charity).
The organisation also said the food festival is a long-term creative strategy and not an exploitation or commercialisation of Palestinians’ suffering.
‘Small contribution’
Malaysiakini’s observation found the food stalls a huge hit among the masses, with attendees flocking to them to purchase food while awaiting the main event to start.
Foreign nationals were also spotted among the crowd, especially Indonesians.
A hawker who wished to be known only as Muhammad argued that the food festival was another way of showing solidarity with Palestine.
This was because part of the proceeds would be channelled to Gaza. However, Muhammad did not divulge details on the quantum.
“It’s not an issue. This is to help serve the event attendees and our small contribution to Palestine, especially Gaza.
“We will send some of our proceeds to the Gaza fund…which means we’re helping them, not having a party,” he added.
Last Friday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a multi-stakeholder global initiative aimed at enhancing food security and nutrition analysis, declared famine in parts of Gaza. - Mkini
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