KUALA LUMPUR: Singer-songwriter Faizal Tahir admits that an incident of Israeli aggression towards humanitarians aiding the Palestinians in 2010 was an "eye opener" and turning point in his life.
The Mavi Marmara incident of May 31 that year, in which the Israeli navy stormed the said ship delivering international humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza Strip, convinced him that Israel was committing human rights abuses against the Palestinians and even obstructed humanitarian aid to them.
In a recent interview with radio station Kool 101, Faizal said: "I was then on a road tour promoting my second album Adrenalin. I just had a showcase at Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur, and retreated to my hotel room."
Faizal decided to look at his Twitter account before bedtime, and was shocked to hear about the Israeli aggression on board the humanitarian ship.
"The Zionists were really cruel, they shot and killed some of the activists in cold blood. Some of the activists on board the ship were Malaysians, thank God they were not harmed," he said.
Faizal added that the Mavi Marmara incident got him more involved in helping the Palestinians and unfortunate people around the world.
"I felt that I was very lucky to be living in Malaysia and having a successful music career. But at the same time I was moved by the suffering of the Palestinians, so what I did was set up my very own humanitarian organisation I Am Faith Men to help them and other less fortunate people around the world," said Faizal who set up his non-governmental organisation six years later.
Over the last few weeks, Faizal has been highlighting the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza Strip who have been mercilessly attacked by the Israeli army.
Many Malaysians, including artistes, have expressed solidarity with the Palestinians in the face of the latest Israeli aggression.
Singer-songwriter Faizal Tahir admits that an incident of Israeli aggression towards humanitarians aiding the Palestinians in 2010 was an "eye opener" and turning point in his life (Instagram faizal_tahir)