Update - 20 October 2024
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Letters to Gaza project: Nurturing empathy and solidarity through children’s voices
The Letters to Gaza initiative is part of a broader mission to instill a sense of global responsibility and awareness among Malaysian children.
In a heartwarming display of compassion and unity, the Letters to Gaza project has brought together over 200 heartfelt messages from Malaysian children, each letter serving as a ray of hope for the children in Gaza.
This humanitarian effort, led by Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) aimed to cultivate empathy among Malaysian youths while standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause during these challenging times.
The Letters to Gaza initiative is part of a broader mission to instill a sense of global responsibility and awareness among Malaysian children.
Through their letters, these young Malaysians have found a unique and meaningful way to extend messages of strength, hope and love to children enduring hardship in Gaza.
The project was envisioned as a platform for young voices to connect with Gazan children, letting them know that even though they are miles apart, they are not alone in their suffering.
VPM activist Puan Sri Norma Hashim who is also the organiser of the project said Letters to Gaza was born out of a need to provide a way for children in Malaysia to show support to Palestinian kids who are facing genocide in Gaza with images of atrocities committed against them shown on social media.
She said she felt that it was important for children in Malaysia to express their solidarity with those in Palestine in a safe yet impactful way.
"I reached out to children, teachers and parents through Facebook and Instagram to collect letters and I also received contributions (letters) from VPM members.
"We have collected over 200 letters from children across Malaysia. I have read them and they are incredibly heartwarming, filled with empathy for the children in Gaza," she told Sinar Daily.
Norma who is also an author said it was touching to see such genuine concern through the letters.
The letters, she said are currently on display in a special exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum, Open Space Gallery in Kuala Lumpur until Oct 6.
"Entry is free and the museum is open every day," she said.
UPDATES FROM PALESTINE
Al-Marhum Al-Hafiz Dr Fadi M.R. AlBatsh (24/6/1983–21/4/2018)
We in Viva Palestine Malaysia (VPM) and Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) have known al-Hafiz Dr Fadi since he began his PhD studies in University Malaya in 2011.
He is undoubtedly an academic scholar of distinction, a genius really. He won the Ivy League, Yayasan Khazanah-VPM scholarship for his PhD studies in 2013. Three years later in August 2016, he received both the Special Mention Award and High Achiever Award, at the Yaysan Khazanah Scholarship, 10th Anniversary, presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. This is apart from the many other honours and prizes for his scholastic excellence.
And within a year of working as a senior electrical engineering lecturer in UNIKL, he won a research grant from the Malaysian government and was supervising 3 postgraduate engineering students. His work and research in electrical engineering and power electronics have been widely published in the top tier engineering journals.
He has memorized the Quran since childhood and is distinguished among the few who holds the Sanad Riwayat Shu’bah and Hafs from Aasim. He has taught the recitation rules of the Holy Quran with Tajweed for the past 13 years.
He has led Terawih prayers in Palestine for 6 years and in Malaysia for the past 5 years. He was awarded first place in the Sixth International Postgraduate Al-Quran Competition, Malaysia, 2015. His Quranic prowess has been duly recognized world wide and in Malaysia he holds the “Tauliah Mengajar & Berceramah” Wilayah Persekutuan.”
Despite his brilliance and multiple achievements, Fadi remained a very humble person, soft spoken, thoughtful and contemplative. He has always led our Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) & Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) annual Terawih prayer for the past few years. He has been very active in various platforms, including VPM, Boycott Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) and Palestinian Students Organisations in Malaysia to advance the cause for justice and peace for Palestine.
His wife, Enas F. has similarly obtained her Masters in Islamic Studies from University Malaya and they are blessed with 3 children, Doaa Fadi, Aseel Fadi and Muhammad Fadi.
It has been a short 35 years, with a tragic demise but an unequivocally blessed life in the service of Allah and His Deen. May he be blessed bountifully with His Highest Gardens of Paradise in Jannatul Firdaus. And may Allah confer patience and forbearance to his family and the Palestinian community upon this great loss of their Palestinian son.
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
Chairman, Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM)
Tuan Haji Yuzaidi Yusoff
Chairman, Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
[caption id="attachment_1573" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Yayasan Khazanah Scholarship Special Mention & High Achiever Awards, August 2016
With Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri
al-marhum Johan Nawawi
Viva Palestina Malaysia would like to express our deepest condolences to the wife, children and family of renowned Malaysian composer song writer and producer al-marhum Johan Nawawi.
A childhood friend of one of VPM's committee members, he was asked to compose our theme song in 2010 and accepted without the slightest hesitation.
'Our Home' is now played before every movie screening at VPM's annual Kuala Lumpur Palestine Film Festival. Johan remained a quiet but firm supporter of the Palestinian cause.
Johan Nawawi, will always be remembered fondly by all at VPM and we pray the Almighty grants him a place among His choicest and gives his family patience during these difficult times.
Steve Johnson the interviewer at BBS radio
Steve Johnson the interviewer at BBS radio, USA thought Norma's interview was important enough to be shared widely so he did a video of it and posted on YouTube.
You will also see many VPM photos in this video as Norma speaks about her book, The Prisoners' Diaries, the work VPM has done and is doing for Palestine and her involvement as Madam Treasurer of VPM.
How Dr Ang went from pro Israel to serving the people of Palestine (Video)
Kiwi-sponsored ambulances delivered to Gaza clinic
Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, Chairman of Viva Palestine Malaysia announces the delivery of two fully-equipped ambulances to the clinic run by Doctors World Wide – Turkey in Khan Younis city in central Gaza, this week.
The ambulances and medical equipment, jointly sponsored by VPM and Kia Ora Gaza, will greatly assist the work of the clinic treating the large number of patients maimed by Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza.
The handover of the ambulances has faced lengthy delays due to the tight siege that Israel and Egypt imposes on the Gaza Strip.
We thank all those who generously supported our medical appeal, which will also help replace the dozens of ambulances that were destroyed during Israel’s brutal 50-day war on Gaza last year.
Press Release; April 24, 2014
ICAHD JOINS APPEAL TO ISRAELI SUPREME COURT AGAINST
MILITARY PLANNING IN AREA C OF THE WEST BANK
The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), in conjunction with Rabbis for Human Rights/Shomrei Mishpat, The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center, and The Society of Saint Yves, The Catholic Center for Human Rights, and together with the Palestinian village council of Ad-Dirat- Al-Rfai’ya located in the southern district of Hebron, West Bank, has submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court to remove the planning authority in Area C of the West Bank, including the authority to demolish Palestinian homes, out of the hands of the Israeli military and restore it to the Palestinian Authority. The Court will hear the case of Monday, April 28, 2014.
Background: Palestinian planning commissions survived the 1967 war, but without warning or “immediate military necessity,” the Israeli Military Commander in 1971 issued Order 418, which abolished them and placed all planning in the hands of the military, where it remains today. During the Oslo peace process Israel agreed to restore that authority in Area C to the Palestinian Authority, but this was never done.