ASA WALK FOR PALESTINE: A Call to end Scholasticide

By, Mizan binti Muhammad

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) once again affirmed its long-standing commitment to global justice and humanitarian solidarity through a gathering in support of Palestine, held this morning, 10 October 2025, simultaneously across its three main campuses in Gombak, Kuantan, and Pagoh. The event, themed “IIUM Stands with Palestine – A Call to End Scholasticide”, drew staff and students together under a shared vision of empathy, resistance, and hope for the Palestinian people.

The programme, organised by the IIUM Academic Staff Association (ASA) with the support of University’s management and student bodies, began promptly at 8:00 a.m. after more than 300 participants assembled at their respective gathering points. With participants donning Palestinian-themed attire, the event exuded a powerful visual display of unity across all campuses.

Fortifying IIUM’s Global Role

This event echoed the call made by the Honourable Rector, Emeritus Prof. Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar in his rectorial lecture 2025 held in conjunction with the Academia Day Celebration. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of standing in solidarity with Palestine, reminding that IIUM’s mission as a university of Islamic orientation extends beyond academia into the realms of moral and humanitarian responsibility.

The President of ASA, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rabi’ah Aminudin, emphasised that ASA IIUM organised the Walk for Palestine as a collective stand against scholasticide — the deliberate destruction of schools, universities, and the sacred pursuit of knowledge by Zionist forces seeking to silence scholarship and extinguish the world of learning. This spirit of awareness and service embodies what ASA continuously strives for, which is to uphold the role of academics not only as educators and researchers, but as voices of conscience who act upon the principles of justice, compassion, and solidarity.

Palestinian Voices at the Centre

The highlight of the gathering was the heartfelt sharing from Palestinian representatives within the IIUM community at the Gombak campus. Three speakers, representing both staff and student perspectives, offered moving testimonies that resonated deeply with the participants.

Prof. Dr. Radhwan Jamal, from the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, AHAS, KIRKHS, delivered an impassioned address that reminded Muslims that Allah has promised victory, and that the struggles faced by the Palestinians since 7 October are part of their rightful defence against Zionist aggression. He emphasised that Allah SWT has always been with the Palestinians, although at times, His help may come only at the final moment. This, he said, is part of the divine tradition (sunnatullah), where trials precede triumph and steadfastness becomes the path to victory.

He highlighted the resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of decades of dispossession, occupation, and violence.

Dr Belal Barakat Sulaiman Salhab, also from the Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, highlighted the enduring solidarity of spirit that Malaysians share with the people of Palestine. He expressed deep appreciation for the moral courage and collective empathy shown by Malaysians across all walks of life, from academia to civil society, in standing firmly in support of the oppressed. This solidarity, he noted, is Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to justice, humanity, and the defence of truth in the face of oppression.

Following him, Nour Murtaja, a Master’s student in Education, brought a personal and emotional dimension to the morning. Sharing her story as a Palestinian youth surviving displacement and constant struggles against the inhumane regime, she urged fellow students to continue advocating for Palestine in academic and public spaces.

“So today, as we walk for Palestine, we walk for every child who lost a classroom, every teacher who never returned home, and every student who still holds a book under the ruins,” she said. “Education is our message, our resistance, and our hope. Let the world know that scholasticide must end — because destroying schools is not just destroying buildings; it’s destroying the future.”

A Living Tradition of Solidarity

The IIUM community has long been vocal in its advocacy for Palestine, aligning with the university’s foundational ethos of promoting justice and compassion. Over the years, various initiatives led by staff and students; public and intellectual debates, academic forums or social awareness, have reinforced the importance of keeping the Palestinian struggle at the centre of global discourse.

Today’s event, while modest in its scale, is significant in its symbolism. It underscores the continuing relevance of Palestine to the conscience of the Muslim world, particularly among the younger generation. The collective act of gathering—across multiple campuses and diverse backgrounds—reflects IIUM’s role as a microcosm of global Muslim solidarity.

From Solidarity to Action

As the programme ended, the message was clear: solidarity must extend beyond symbolic gestures. Participants were encouraged to channel their awareness into practical initiatives such as fundraising campaigns, continuous boycotts, scholarly engagement with the Palestinian issue, and active participation in humanitarian advocacy.

It is not enough to wear colours or attend a gathering, for what matters is how we carry this spirit into our studies, our research, and our public discourse. Palestine is a test of our moral integrity, and IIUM as an international Islamic education institution must play the role in shaping the narratives.

A Collective Statement of Hope

The event closed with collective prayers for peace, justice, and liberation for Palestine. As participants dispersed, the symbolism of their attire and the echoes of the speeches lingered—a reminder that solidarity, when grounded in values of justice and compassion, transcends geographical boundaries.

In essence, the gathering was more than just a walk; it was a reaffirmation of IIUM’s moral compass. In a world where the Palestinian struggle risks being normalised or overshadowed by other global issues, IIUM’s act of coming together stands as a reminder that the cause is neither forgotten nor forsaken.

As one participant succinctly put it: “Today, we not only wear the colours of Palestine, but we must also live its lessons of resilience, justice, and hope.”***