Our treasurer, Paun Sri Norma Hashim presenting the book, The Prisoners Diaries edited by Norma, to the new Palestinian Ambassodar to Malaysia, Dr Anwar Al Agha. Together with them are Yousef Aljamal who helped put together the Arabic version of The Prisoners Diaries and Refaat Alareer, Editor of Gaza Writes Back.

Below is the speech by our treasurer, Puan Sri Normah Hashim at Saba Islamic Media book launch of the Bahasa Malaysia edition of 'Gaza Writes Back'.

I am honored to represent Viva Palestina Malaysia to say a few words at the launch of the Bahasa Malaysia edition of Gaza Writes Back.

Zionist narratives of Palestine have ruled over the media for the last 60 years. Because of this VPM has always felt that citizen journalism is important for Palestinians to reclaim this narrative. This is why we have worked with the Centre for Political and Development Studies in Gaza through supporting the library and funding talks and providing laptops and projectors to enable the youth in Gaza to acquire the writing and speaking skills to counter the pro Zionist propaganda in the media.

The importance of good writing skills is highlighted by the success of Refaat Alareer's book Gaza Writes Back and the very favorable reception in the United States to the 10 city book tour which Refaat and 2 of the young writers Yousef and Rawan did in April.

Gaza Writes Back showcases the writing talent that abounds among the youth in Gaza today. This is writing borne out of tragedy and trauma, turned into a message to the world, a plea to people everywhere to learn the true story of Palestine as told by Palestinians living through the Occupation.

Israel has always felt threatened by Palestinian writers, and many writers and artists have been assassinated and killed violently even though they resisted the occupation through non-violent means. But I hope this does not deter the young writers in Palestine!

Yet their words and images live on today many years after their passing. Ghassan Kanafani was assassinated by a car bomb in 1972 yet today, his novels and short stories like "Men in the Sun" and "A World Not our Own" are still read around the world, and the stories still ring true 40 years later .
Naji Al Ali was shot and killed in 1987 in London, but today which Palestinian does not know his cartoon Handala the boy who will not grow up until he can return to his homeland?

They say the pen is mightier than the sword. Indeed, Palestinian words have always been more powerful than Israeli bullets, and they endure long after the assassins are dead, and they will be read long after the Occupation is over.

Imam Al Aqsa, Baitul Maqdis, Palestine will be giving a talk on the current threat to destroy the Al Aqsa and what we can do to save it from destruction by Israel. The event is a joint collaboration between Viva Palestine and Masjid Negara and Masjid Wilayah. Don't miss the talk.

This is a film festival for human rights issues.

The documentary Cinema of Jenin is the chosen film premiere, and will be shown at Cathay Cineplex, the Curve on Sat 14th . Its about a German film maker who wants to revive the cinema in Jenin but faces problems with the Israelis.

For more information on the film fest, please go to the link:
http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/film/cinema-of-jenin/

Palestinian political leader and Chairman of the Hamas political bureau. Khaled Meshaal was in KL on 2 Dec 2013 and VPMers were very fortunate to have had the chance to meet and have short discussions with him.

In 1997, Mashal was the target of an assassination attempt carried out by the Israeli Mossad under orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet. Meshaal was involved in negotiating a prisoner exchange deal which released captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. In 2010, the British magazine New Statesman listed Khaled Mashal at number 18 in the list of "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures 2010". In 2012, he visited Gaza for the first time, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hamas.

The Miko Peled talks attracted a colourful audience and wide press coverage. If you missed I am afraid you missed big time. Many were touched and moved and some shed a tear or two of his personal journey to unravel the politics in Palestine, its people and its stories.
Myths and lies were debunked and he laid bare the hypocrisy and misinformation prevalent in the Zionist controlled western media.
Truly a courageous and brave man to pursue the truth despite being brought up in a dense "Zionist ambience" – his granddad a co-signatory of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948 and his dad a general in the 1967 war when Israeli invaded and annexed Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights and Sinai. And his quest for authenticity persisted despite losing his niece to suicide bombings in 1997.
His book the The General's Son was sold out – autographed personally by Miko.
"The World will never be FREE until Palestine is FREE" – Nelson Mandela
Dr Musa MN
Chairman VPM

The recently concluded Kuala Lumpur Palestine Film Festival (17-19 May @ GSC Pavilion) was a success by any measure. The movies screened over the three days left an indelible impression on its viewers.

"Five Broken Camera" & "Lemon Tree" which depicted day light robbery of Palestinian lands, burning of olive trees, chopping of lemon trees, killings, arrests and intimidations were clear favorites leaving many patrons shaken by its inhumanity and cruelty but determined to do more for the victims.

KLPFF met its two objectives; raising awareness regarding the Palestinian struggle and much needed funds for our projects. All the kind contributions in making this event a success cannot be overstated and we would like to record our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed and helped in some way or another.
The funds raised during this festival we hope will in some way alleviate the harsh and dire living conditions in Palestine.

Viva Palestina Malaysia (VPM) first collaborated with the Ministry of Information, Communication & Culture through the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) to stage the very successful inaugural Kuala Lumpur Palestine Film Festival from 4th – 6th February 2012 (KLPFF2012).

KLPFF2013 is a follow on from KLPFF2012 which not only succeeded in generating RM2 million in funds from both the public and the Ministry of Education, it was able to reach an audience largely not exposed to the realities of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Our close collaboration with the Ministry has enabled us to showcase a film festival of international quality in the Asia-Pacific which we hope would remain a regular feature in our mainstreaming of the Palestine cause.

The objectives of the festival are twofold:
1. to create awareness about the Palestinian struggle through cinema; and
2. to raise funds for VPM's ongoing projects in Gaza.

This year the funds raised from the festival will be channeled to:

1. Rehabilitation of the agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip
2. Equipping a Paediatric Surgical Referral Centre for the Gaza Strip

Bringing together film makers from France and Britain among others, these movies juxtapose the complexity with the simplicity of the life of a Palestinian. The films reflect the legendary spirit of an entire people that stays unbroken in spite of over sixty years of brutal occupation. It is about ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

Tun Mahathir with VPM's Treasurer, Puan Sri Norma Hashim and VPM's guest, Dr Abdul Rahim Shehab, Director of Islamic Society Jabaliya, our NGO partner in Gaza. Seen in the other picture is VPM's Media commitee, Puan Noraini Hashim.

Our volunteer Dr Husna Musa & Jes Ibrahim, Universal Music's artist, will share their experiences in Gaza on Saturday, 2 Feb at YoungMuslimProject's open circle. Youths are encouraged to join so perhaps you can learn on how YOU can contribute to this noble cause.

Harry Fear was in Kuala Lumpur to give a series of talks on the Palestine conflict as part of his world tour. His trip to Malaysia was organised by Viva Palestina Malaysia and it proved to be a very successful one as reported in The Star http://archives.thestar.com.my/search/?q=harry+fear

“If possible, visit Gaza.” These are the words of British independent journalist Harry Fear (pic), urging people to see for themselves what life is like in the embattled area in Palestine.

“Generally people don’t know what it is like for the Palestinians,” said Fear, 23, who is on a talking world tour to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine.

Malaysia is his seventh stopover after Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Canada and the United States.

The Subang Jaya Old Boys Charity Futsal organized their Annual Charity Futsal & Bazaar 2013 event but this time around they made it bigger and better! In view of the recent onslaught on Gaza, they unanimously agreed to donate the full proceeds from the Event to Viva Palestina Malaysia.

The VPM team — Amin Rahman, Neville Ponnurajah, Adly Almanzo Adnan, Ahmed Khamis, Faheem Amir and Adam Azman.

The teams were briefed by Ahmed Khamis  about Gaza before the start of the tournament. 

There was also a team from MSRI made up of boys who are refugees from Iraq, Afganistan and Iran, and the coach from Syria.

You are invited to our Annual Charity Futsal event. This time around we hope to make it bigger and better! In view of the recent onslaught on Gaza, we have unanimously agreed to donate the full proceeds from the Event to Viva Palestina Malaysia http://www.vivapalestina-my.org/

We are hoping to get 48 teams. If you are interested to participate or/help out as volunteers or donate, please contact us via facebook or email us at:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Amin Fauzi 012 2487565 ( Male League) / Aliaa 019 3801016( Female League)

Details:-

Date: 26th January 2013
Venue: Sports Planet Subang Grand
Time: 8 am - 3pm
Registration: RM 150 per team
Players: 8 players per team
The event is open to all ( male league & female league)
Mystery** Prizes to be won!

*There will be a bazaar as well selling various products ranging from food, cupcakes to t shirts! If you would like to open a booth, please contact us! :) ***

registration closes on 18th January 2013
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History of Subang Jaya Old Boys

SJOB Charity Futsal was started as a means for young people to socialise and at the same time give back towards society. What started as a one-off event became an annual event due to its ability to bring friends together and make a small difference to the lives of the less fortunate people. 2013 shall mark the 4th year of SJOB Charity Futsal organised by the Subang Jaya Old Boys committee members. All proceeds from the previous events were channelled to charitable bodies all over Malaysia to give aid to their financial expenses. For 2009 the recipient was Projek Kalsom, 2010 was Rumah Amal Kasih Bestari and for 2012 it was Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih.

With each year the proceeds collected has grown. We are hopeful to make this year's tournament the biggest yet to be organized. In view of the current situation in Gaza, Palestine and the pressing need of our fellow brothers and sisters over there for our assistance we have unanimously voted for the proceeds to be channelled to Pertubuhan
Viva Palestina Malaysia.

We hope that you will join us and contribute in whatever ways that you can in making this event a success.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/11739506452/

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for the registration form- please click on this link

https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B0e6AcBcnjR5OTQ5Mk5ST3hmdEk/edit?pli=1&docId=0B0e6AcBcnjR5NE9OTzlLeTZhRFk