In what is being hailed as a historic moment of solidarity with the Palestinian people, thousands gathered at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on 12 April 2025 for the March for Gaza, a massive rally against Israeli aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip. The demonstration, led by prominent political, religious, academic, and cultural figures, called upon Muslim-majority nations to sever all diplomatic, trade, and strategic ties with Israel — echoing the spirit of historic boycotts and resistance movements worldwide.
At the heart of the protest was a powerful declaration delivered by Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the Daily Amar Desh, urging the reinstatement of the “Except Israel” clause in Bangladeshi passports, a symbolic yet potent reflection of the nation’s founding commitment to justice and resistance against oppression.
“Bangladesh emerged from the ashes of oppression. It is only fitting that we stand with the oppressed people of Palestine in their hour of need,” declared Mahmudur Rahman. “Our position today is not just political — it is moral, historical, and deeply spiritual.”
The declaration emphasized Bangladesh’s historic refusal to recognize Israel, rooted in its post-liberation foreign policy of aligning with global movements for justice. It urged the government to formally rescind any agreements with Israeli-linked institutions, boycott products associated with Zionist enterprises, and launch official protests against the persecution of Muslims in other countries, particularly under the current Indian regime, citing its alignment with the Zionist agenda.
Speakers demanded concrete state action to provide humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza and called for Palestine’s history, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the broader resistance against occupation to be included in national curricula to educate future generations about their role in upholding global justice.
The rally was presided over by Muhammad Abdul Malek, the khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, and fiery speeches were heard from across the spectrum of Islamic and nationalist leadership. Renowned Islamic scholar Mizanur Rahman Azhari led the crowd in powerful chants:
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
“Genocide no more!”
Masses began arriving hours before the scheduled start, many waving both Bangladeshi and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine”, and marching from areas like Shahbagh and Nilkhet. Organizers described it as Dhaka’s largest-ever public gathering for Palestine, cutting across political lines and social boundaries.
Prominent national figures — from cricketers like Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehedi Hasan Miraz to educators like Ayman Sadiq, YouTubers, doctors, and actors — expressed solidarity through video messages, amplifying the call for global awareness and resistance.
Religious scholars from across Bangladesh, including Shaikh Ahmadullah, Abdul Hai Saifullah, and Pir Saheb Khalilur Rahman, also lent their voices in unity with the people of Palestine, marking the rally not just as a political statement but as a pan-Islamic call for justice.
The “March for Gaza” will likely be remembered as a landmark in Bangladesh’s historic support for the Palestinian cause — a continuation of the country’s enduring refusal to remain silent in the face of apartheid, genocide, and imperial aggression. As Israel continues its brutal campaign in Gaza, Dhaka’s message is clear: The people of Bangladesh stand resolutely with Palestine — in history, in faith, and in struggle.