Malam Amal Sejuta Nurqilan
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.