After a two years hiatus in marking the International Al-Quds Day due to the sanitary crisis, induced by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people in Iran and other countries are rallying on this day, Friday, April 29, 2022, to express their support to Palestine, slamming the Zionists' decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories.

Massive preparations were underway across Iran to magnificently stage Al-Quds Day's processions and online events, as stated by Mohammad Hossein Mousa Pour, chairman of the Islamic Advocacy Council, who added that Al-Quds Day processions "will be held in Tehran and 900 cities and villages nationwide."

“This year, we are going to witness the holding of popular processions across the country after two years,” Mousa Pour, a cleric, said. “The Quds Intifada Commission was formed and it reviewed the strategies, plans, and slogans. Now, there is coordination and convergence for implementing the programs inside and outside the country,” he said. 

These peaceful demonstrations come as a response to the call of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Imam Ruhollah Al-Khomeini, who announced, in 1979, the last Friday of the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan Al-Quds Day, voicing complete support for the Palestinian cause against the Zionist enemy.

People worldwide, including the USA, irrespective of their religions, and from all walks of life, are taking to the streets in massive numbers to support Palestinians who are facing the dangerous prospect of a sellout of their rights through the US plan, condemning Zionist atrocities, US and some Arab leaders policies.

This year’s rallies, placed under the slogan "Al-Quds is the pivot," noteworthy, are of special importance coinciding with the normalization of ties of some Arab countries with the Zionist Entity amid this latter's atrocities against the defenseless Palestinians in Al-Quds, in a flagrant violation of international law and human rights, proving more than ever that the treacherous move by the heads of state of these Islamic countries to normalize ties with this fake regime inclined to shed more blood and create crises.

They are, also, marked by many attempts by the Zionist entity to accelerate the implementation of its project aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause, in the face of the determination of the Palestinian people to free their land from the clutches of the occupier, despite the inertia of the international community that is turning a blind eye to these heinous crimes. The sanctity of the third holiest city of Islam is subjected to unprecedented violations and almost daily attacks by the Zionist entity, which seeks to Judaize it and create new realities on the ground, altering its historical character and demographic composition. Since the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, Al-Aqsa Mosque has experienced great tensions against a backdrop of intensification of settler intrusions into the place of worship reserved for Muslims only, fuelling a religious war over Al-Aqsa Mosque. The worst, the Zionist Jewish colonial fundamentalist group "The Returning to the Mount," which advocates the construction of a "Third Jewish Temple" in Al-Haram Al-Sharif, the third-holiest place in Islam, and is associated with the racist Kach group, announced their plan to sacrifice animals as part of the Jewish Passover rituals in Al-Haram. However, they were faced with severe resistance and objection to these rituals by the valiant Palestinians who aborted this despicable move aimed at desecrating the Holy Mosque.

The latest Zionist escalation against Al-Aqsa Mosque worshippers has resulted in the injury of more than 160 Palestinians and the arrest of dozens. These violations, which have drawn widespread international condemnation, are seen by the Palestinian authorities as a "declaration of war" against the Palestinian people.

A member of the Resistance Committee in Palestine, Muhammad Aal-Buraim, is also of the opinion that "the occupation kills and seeks to displace the inhabitants of El-Quds, change the landmarks of the city, falsify the history and uproot the Palestinians."

For its part, the United Nations, through the voice of the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani, considered that the heinous crimes of the Zionist occupation forces against the Palestinians, particularly on April 15, "raises serious concerns that the use of force was widespread, unnecessary and indiscriminate."

Attacking Palestinians in Ramadan has become a tradition for the Zionists. Last year, Palestinians were and (still, this year are) subject to the denial of their fundamental freedoms through the systemic discrimination and subjugation, forcible evictions, and demolition orders of Palestinian property in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. This culminated in spurring violence that claimed the lives of innocent women, children, and elderly during the 11-day war on the Gaza Strip that began on May 10, 2021, amounting to war crimes. There was a deliberate intention by the Zionist occupation forces to inflict more casualties among the civilians to push the Palestinian people to accept the "existence" of the Zionist entity. A total of 243 Palestinians, including 66 children and 39 women, were killed during the Zionist attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip on May 10, 2021. Confrontations erupted, on May 13, across the occupied territories because of the Zionists’ attacks and restrictions on Palestinians in the Eastern part of occupied Al-Quds, Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as a Zionist court’s decision to evict 12 Palestinian families from their homes in favor of Zionist settlers.

Palestinians are also victims, on a daily basis, of repeated military attacks, claiming the lives of several innocent civilians (men, women, and children), especially in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a strict blockade for 15 years.

The Zionists are committing violations against worshippers in occupied Al-Quds by preventing them from accessing places of worship, at the top of which is Al-Aqsa Mosque, the world's third-holiest site for Muslims, resorting to an excessive force against them in a way that threatens their lives and most likely leads to death. The Zionist entity is committing crimes of apartheid and persecution against Arabs in the occupied territories, with a view to maintaining the domination by Zionists over Palestinians. The Zionist regime has become the sole governing power alongside extremely-limited Palestinian self-rule, where the Zionists are methodically highly-privileged, while Palestinians have been dispossessed, confined, forcibly separated, and subjugated by virtue of their identity to varying degrees of intensity. In certain areas... these deprivations are so severe that they amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.

However, the resilient Palestinians have risen up, showing exceptional bravery, resisting, in all means possible, this massive oppression by the kids-killer regime and have frustrated and depressed this forged entity. 250,000-plus worshipers defied the restrictions and celebrated Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Destiny, Wednesday 26 Ramadan) in Al-Aqsa. Seif Al-Quds (Sword of Al-Quds) Operation in support of Al-Aqsa Mosque dealt a massive blow to the forged Zionist regime, on the one hand, and highlighted the capacity and capabilities of the Palestinian resistance, on the other hand. This stage is a new beginning for the unity of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Occupied Territories of 1948, Palestinian camps, and all the Palestinians across the globe. 

To this end and following these victories, millions of protesters worldwide, mainly in Iran, are determined to celebrate, each year, International Al-Quds Day, uttering the voice of the voiceless and carrying banners and chanting slogans against this blatant conspiracy against Palestine and the Palestinians. We can see, this year, slogans such as, “Al-Quds is the eternal capital of Palestine” and “Death to America”, as well as “No to the deal of the century."

The marchers are also carrying slogans condemning the attempts by some Arab rulers to normalize relations with the Zionist regime and their coordinated efforts with the ‘Deal of the Century’ plan, calling for the boycott of all plans designed to complete the Zionists' ominous project for pushing Palestinians out of their lands.

These rallies shed light on the ironic will and determination of the resistance to remain tremulous. The Axis of Resistance, without doubt, paved the grounds for uprooting this purulent gland. In addition, and as stated by the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the International Al-Quds Day constitutes a unique manifestation of unity among Muslims and all the world’s freedom seekers in expressing support for Palestine and disgust for the usurper Zionists; it also illustrates an unparalleled portrayal of unity among the people of the world to condemn the atrocities and occupation of the Zionist regime and abhor the racist and inhuman nature of the Zionists; Al-Quds Day also symbolizes resistance. Undoubtedly, the establishment of the illegitimate and forged Zionist entity has become the prime element of instability and insecurity in West Asia since 1948.

This year's rallies were faced in Palestine by Zionist raids. Zionist forces stormed, today at around 06:30 am local time, Al-Aqsa Mosque, wounding 42 people as police used rubber-tipped bullets, teargas, and stun grenades to disperse crowds. At least 22 people had been taken to hospital with injuries reported in the upper body.

Medics were also prevented from entering the Mosque to provide first aid to the wounded, and one paramedic was beaten by the Zionist forces, the PRCS added.

For its part, Iran, the initiator of this worldwide Rendez-Vous, is committed, despite the economic sanctions imposed on it and political pressure exercised by the West and some of the Arab countries, to grant all kinds of help to the Palestinians. 

"We have come here today in support of the oppressed people of Palestine and oppressed people everywhere, especially oppressed Muslims in the world. By gathering here we show that no matter how difficult the circumstances, be it coronavirus or other difficulties, we will stand by our ideals and will support them," said an Iranian lady.

Iran provides financial help to the families of the victims in the Gaza Strip as evidenced by senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders. It is worth mentioning, also, the continued military and financial support granted to the Resistance in Palestine by Iran, which stands as the key reason behind the development of Palestinians’ military capabilities as admitted by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who underlined that without Iran’s backing, they have not achieved what they achieved.

“If Iran didn’t support us in recent years, we wouldn’t have achieved what we achieved.”

Sinwar stated that the Grad rockets fired at the Zionist Entity were of Iranian manufacture. All these aids and technological knowledge were transferred by the dignified martyr, the great general of resistance and liberation of the holy Quds, Haj Qassem Soleimani, who made continued efforts and wise decisions to fertilize the plant of resistance in a so eloquent manner that the resistance movement now constitutes the main pillar of and is a pioneer in all effective actions against Zionism and in support of the oppressed worldwide. 

As part of the celebrations, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) General Hossein Salami delivered a speech at the University of Tehran, where the demonstrators gathered for the Friday Prayer. Other Iranian officials are expected to deliver speeches on the occasion. 

Major General Hossein Salami said Palestine lies in the hearts and minds of all Muslims worldwide, and that Al-Quds Force was formed in order to support Palestinians and the Palestinian cause.

“The Zionist regime was created under international conspiracies. God willing, we will see the eradication of the Zionist regime off the face of the Earth,... it will be wiped out of the world map soon," the ISNA news agency reported.

He dubbed the creation of the "Tel Aviv" regime as a non-healing wound and a dagger in the back of all Muslims, stressing that Palestinians have realized that the so-called "Abraham Accords" and similar normalization agreements will neither bring them security nor peace. “The enemy only understands the language of force. The roadmap for Iran is to become stronger as it is the way to emerge victorious.”

“The Zionist regime has not won a war against Palestinians in recent years. Zionists have reached a point, where inflicting injuries on a Palestinian will bring them repercussions,” the IRGC chief said.

He went on to note that the Zionist officials have come to realize that Washington is not a reliable partner to rely on. “We are men of our words. Our response will be painful for the Zionist regime,” Salami said, warning "Israel" that its vicious acts will bring about severe consequences.

In addition, Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, will take part in an online event on Palestine along with Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei on international relations. The event, promoted as the biggest online International Al-Quds Day ceremony, is being held under the theme: “Liberating Quds as the capital of Palestine.”

For his part, Ayatollah Khamenei praised, while addressing a number of university students, this year’s Al-Quds Days as being different from previous years. 

“This year's Quds Day is different from other years. The Palestinians have been making great sacrifices both during last year's and this year's Ramadan. The Zionist regime is committing the worst crimes, and the US and Europe are supporting them,” he said.

He went on to say, “Palestine is both oppressed and powerful; it’s an oppressed power. I said the same about Iran many years ago. Palestine is truly strong today. The Palestinian youth do not allow the question of Palestine to be forgotten and they're standing up in opposition to the enemy's crimes.”

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, International Al-Quds Day, the legacy of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, has been held worldwide on the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. Back in 1979, shortly after leading an Islamic Revolution which toppled the US-backed Shah of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini named the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan, Al-Quds Day.