MALAYSIANS should not turn a blind eye to the severe atrocities being committed against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
In an effort to highlight the suffering, hardship and escalating death toll there, the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) has organised a series of events to raise public awareness.
Part of its plan is to involve the arts and entertainment industries to help spread the word and cultivate a better understanding on what's happening.
The Muslim non-governmental organisation (NGO) recently jointly held the Seniman Bangkit: Membela Palestin, Menentang Kezaliman Israel with Pertubuhan Karyawan Seniman Malaysia (Paksi) and Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor (PPAS) at the Raja Tun Uda Library in Shah Alam, Selangor.
"The community of writers, artists, theatre practitioners and activists garner a wide influence among the public and provide opportunities for critical thinking to society.
"The Palestinian issue really needs not just an emotional response. It also has to be something people really understand.
"So we want the writers to produce more things for the people to read and understand.
"The crux of the issue is about humanity and justice, and I think these seniman (artistes) are the best people to convey that," said Mapim president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, better known as Cikgu Azmi, when met after the event.
He added that it was high time for more people to take note of the long-standing situation in Palestine, which has been under occupation since 1948.
"Yes, we want people to protest and send a strong message, but again there's a need to have a deep understanding of this serious issue.
"This is so that our reaction will be a sustained one and not just an emotional uproar that cools down again, just to wait for another attack.
"We ask all the artistes and the people to be part of this. It has to cross all religions, races and political parties," he said.
Cikgu Azmi explained that the effort would be an ongoing one with more events and activities planned for the near future.
"On Dec 2, we'll be gathering another group of celebrities, including singers and actors.
"A lot of them want to contribute and are more than willing to participate."
He revealed that the artistes who have confirmed their participation include Datuk Yusof Haslam, Datuk Rosyam Nor, Datin Seri Umie Aida and Erma Fatima.
"In the next meeting we'll be getting more big names to join."
Although there is no venue yet, Cikgu Azmi said the Himpunan Artist Dan Seniman Untuk Palestin on Dec 2 is expected to draw a large crowd which will see the fans and followers of various artistes also attending.
Previously, a two-hour Seniman Bangkit event, which was live streamed via Facebook, saw fervent poetry recitals by national laureates Datuk Seri A. Samad Said, Datuk Siti Zainon Ismail and Datuk Zurinah Hassan.
There was also poetry reading by Ijmala MN, Cikgu Lim Ah Nee, Pak Yassin Salleh and Chan Yong Sin, as well as two activists from Riau, Indonesia — Alhaj Aris Abiba and Qori Islami Aris, who appeared online.
Palestine-born Iyad Al Yazouri, 15, also took to the stage to read 'Berdiri Penuh Bersemangat Seperti Muazin' in both Arabic and Malay.
Completing the performances was a poem song delivered by Kelantanese activist Anbakri, who was accompanied by an acoustic guitarist, and a partial staging of the theatre work 'Tamu Dari Medan Perang', written by Paksi chairman Datuk Che Shamsuddin Othman a.k.a. Dinsman.
The horrors experienced by the Palestinians were encapsulated in a series of heart-wrenching videos that were presented on a big screen, showing the ongoing carnage taking place in the region involving innocent children.
A Seniman Declaration statement was also handed over to the government via Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, who had earlier officiated the event.
Also present at the Seniman Bangkit programme were PPAS deputy director Suzliana Abd Hamid, Aliansi Sedunia Mempertahankan Al-Aqsa chairman Datuk Seri Ustaz Ahmad Awang, Parti Amanah Negara Shura chairman Datuk Wira Ustaz Abd Ghani Shamsudin, Malaysia-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazir Meraslam, Persatuan Kebajikan MADANI (Kuala Terengganu) adviser Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad, Iran Embassy cultural counsellor Dr Arzani Reza and children from Maahad Dakwah Wal Irsyad Mohd Al Fateh in Klang.