BUKIT JALIL, Oct 9 — The Axiata Arena was filled with cheers and emotions as the “Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza” rally took place last night. Among the speakers was Farah Lee, whose real name is Nurfarahin Romli, one of the 23 Malaysian volunteers who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission to deliver aid to war-torn Palestine. These volunteers were detained by Israeli forces and had their own stories to share.
“This mission is not about us, it’s about Gaza, about tearing down the blockade, about countries uniting to end the genocide,” she said to the crowd. She expressed her shyness at being celebrated while some Malaysians remained in detention. “I decided to come here tonight to celebrate with all of you. Without your voices, ours would not have been amplified. This is to celebrate the Malaysian people,” she added.
Farah also shared how she and her fellow volunteers were left without drinking water for four days during their detention in Israel, which forced them to protest for basic access to water. Her speech was part of a night filled with emotional testimonies from the 23 Malaysians who were part of the GSF humanitarian flotilla. The mission was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters while trying to deliver food and medical aid to Gaza last week.
Singer Heliza Helmi described how armed soldiers stormed their vessel. “They came with dogs, with guns, and pointed them at our foreheads. But we were not afraid. We shouted ‘Free Palestine!’ They fear the rise of Gaza,” she said.
Fellow singer Zizi Kirana recounted how they were forced to stand under the sun for more than an hour, during which soldiers pulled their headscarves. “If they treat us like this, imagine how they treat the women of Gaza,” she said. She also recalled how an officer questioned her passport. “When they checked my passport, they asked, ‘Have you been to Israel before?’ I told them, ‘Maybe you should check the first page of my passport, your ‘country’ is not recognized,’” she said, drawing cheers from the audience.
Muslim preacher PU Rahmat shared his story of being interrogated for nearly an hour after soldiers spotted his passport. He claimed they used a derogatory term for Malaysia. “I replied with ‘Mak kau hijau’,” he said to laughter from the audience. “If the enemy hates us, that’s a victory. One thing that united us in prison was the freedom of Gaza,” he added.
Preacher PU Rahmat shares his tale during the Gaza Solidarity Gathering at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on October 8, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Another Muslim preacher, Muhammad Abdullah, known locally as Ustaz Mad Kecil, described how his handcuffs were tightened over time despite his small stature. “I’m small-sized, but they still cuffed me. It shows how weak they are. I also learnt so much from the Europeans on the mission. One of our leaders was Greta, who’s autistic. So my size is not a problem. They’re all remarkable people,” he said. He was referring to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, which is considered part of the autism spectrum.
The Axiata Arena rally, which drew thousands of Malaysians, was held to honor their courage and reaffirm the country’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. The event highlighted the determination of the volunteers and the strong solidarity between Malaysia and the people of Gaza. Through their stories, the attendees were reminded of the ongoing struggle for peace and justice in the region.
