On the International Day of Al-Quds, observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadaan, Capetonians joined major rallies in Iran and worldwide, demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.
Communities from diverse backgrounds gathered to show unwavering solidarity with the oppressed globally, particularly the people of Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, on Friday, March 13.
They marched from Hanover Street to metres away from parliament's gate in Roeland Street, to hand over a memorandum to International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) minister Ronald Lamola, but Mfuzo Zenzile, representing the minister, received the memorandum on his behalf.
Speakers at the rally underscored the city’s deep-rooted history of fighting oppression, drawing parallels between South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle and the current plight of Palestinians.
Sheigh Ighsaan Taliep emphasised that no system of oppression, no matter how powerful, could withstand the collective will of ordinary people bearing witness to justice.
"We are here as Capetonians because we understand what it means to stand together in solidarity," he said.
He called for universal justice, positioning the struggle as one between "God-fearing people and the Godless people," and between "humanity and the anti-human."
Marchers strongly condemned the ongoing genocide and the aggression against the Axis of Resistance - a loose, Iran-led coalition of anti-Western and anti-Israel armed groups and states in the Middle East, including Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), the Houthis (Yemen), and militias in Iraq.
Dr Wagheda Cassiem, daughter of the late Imam Ahmad Cassiem and founding member of the Qibla Movement, who has observed the march for 46 years, read out the memorandum.
The demands addressed to parliament and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) called for intensified efforts to secure an end to the genocide, not just a ceasefire.
"Immediately sever all economic, military, and diplomatic ties with the State of Israel, close Israeli and American embassies, and enforce a full economic and financial embargo on all Zionist goods and services.
"There can be no normal relations with a genocide, lawless regime," said Dr Cassiem.
The march concluded with a strong commitment to peace through justice, with participants vowing to continue their support until freedom and justice prevail across the globe.
Mr Zenzile signed the memorandum and confirmed that the minister's office would respond to the issues raised.
He also said that had he not had to receive the memorandum, he would have been alongside the marchers. "I would be standing side by side with you," he said.
"I want to confirm that the memorandum I've listened to and received, and that the minister will receive this memorandum and that his office will be able to respond," he said.
Mr Zenzile also confirmed that while there hadn't been a leader from parliament available to receive the memorandum, he would raise the issue with the office to ensure a representative is present at the 47th commemoration of the International Day of Al-Quds.
Find CapeTowner on TikTok and Instagram @ccmonlineza