The Vigil for Palestine hosted at Newcastle University’s campus saw ‘brilliant attendance’
Students and staff at Newcastle University came together to express their solidarity at the Vigil for Palestine. The event witnessed an impressive and diverse turnout.
Yesterday, on the evening of November the 1st, 2023, a vigil for Palestine took place in Newcastle University’s Student Union building. The organisers and the speakers expressed how pleased they were with the turnout and the diversity of the attendees.
The host of the evening and the president of Newcastle Muslim Medical Sciences Society, Daanyaal Haider, commenced the vigil by addressing the audience. He said:
“This is not just an event being held, organised and supported by Muslim students. Just take a look around the room.”
The vigil described as ‘an evening of solidarity and remembering the loss of thousands of innocent Palestinians’ was advertised on Instagram by Newcastle Muslim Medical Sciences Society and Newcastle University Islamic Society. Among the other prominent societies and groups that showed support and attended were Amnesty International Society, North East Against Racism, Association of Student Activism for Palestine and many more.
When asked about what this event means for him, Yunus Bakhsh from North East Against Racism said:
“I think it’s very important. It’s a big step forward for the Student Union. To acknowledge the events happening in the world which the student body needs to comment on and needs to take a clear position on.
The inter-society vigil exclusive to students, staff and guest speakers followed its intended purpose of showing solidarity with the Palestinian people and honouring the memory of those who have been killed.
Upon their arrival, attendees were offered free water, juice and snacks and before listening to the speakers, everyone had the chance to start the evening by socialising with one another. Throughout the whole event, there was an opportunity to donate.
This vigil belongs to the number of events and actions across Newcastle organised by various activist groups. They are the Newcastle people’s reaction to the growing numbers of Palestinian victims in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
A representative of Friends of Al-Aqsa, Imam Ali Asad, said:
“Thank you all. You coming here is living proof that there is humanity left on the Earth”.
With the ongoing situation, people of Newcastle continue to show support for Palestine in various ways and, according to the speakers, will continue to do so as long as the killing continues.
The vigil concluded with the words of Daanyaal Haider, who, after thanking everyone for the ‘brilliant attendance’, said:
“Even though this event is coming to an end, it’s not the end of our collective grief and of the suffering that we heard about today.”
Although this vigil was exclusive to students, staff and invited guest speakers, Newcastle upon Tyne is a place where one can find many other activism-related events that are open to the general public.
One of the upcoming events is the Fundraiser for Gaza on November 4th, 2023. For all the information see the flyer.
Follow these activist groups and societies to stay updated and for any support:
- Arab Society Newcastle Uni
- Association of Student Activism for Palestine
- Friends of Al-Aqsa
- Newcastle AhlulBayt Islamic Society
- Newcastle Amnesty International Society
- Newcastle Muslim Medical Sciences Society
- Newcastle South Asian Society
- Newcastle University Islamic Society
- Newcastle University Pakistan Society
- North East Against Racism, North East Against Racism Student Society
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Newcastle Palestine Solidarity
Follow Activism upon Tyne on Instagram: @my_activism_upon_tyne
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