The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Malaysia has announced that all educational institutions under its purview will observe a Palestine Solidarity Week from October 29 to November 3. This initiative is a response to the government’s commitment to defending the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people. The program will take place in schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, as well as teacher education institutes across the country.
The primary objective of this initiative is to educate students about humanitarian values, including human rights and compassion, fostering empathy and concern for the suffering experienced by people regardless of their race, religion, or social status. The activities planned for this week will be conducted in accordance with existing guidelines for schools and students. It’s important to note that Islamic religious activities will involve only Muslim students.
The Ministry of Education views this intervention as essential to inform students about international conflicts and humanitarian crises, particularly in the age of advanced media and communication technology, which exposes students to various types of content. This Palestine Solidarity Week is seen as a part of the broader effort to instill noble values such as respect, compassion, responsibility, and joy as part of civic education in schools. Additionally, the program aims to introduce students to cross-curricular elements, especially those related to global sustainability.
In related developments, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, participated in a rally with over 16,000 people to express support for the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has resulted in significant loss of life. Malaysia has also called on the United Nations Security Council to urge all parties to halt acts of violence amid the clashes between Israel and Hamas in and around the Gaza Strip, which began after Hamas entered Israel on October 7.