MOE Says Schools Raised Over RM9 Million From Its Palestine Solidarity Week
The funds were raised during an event to educate students on peace and humanity.
By Dale John Wong — 06 Nov 2023, 01:06 PM
A weeklong event organised by the Ministry of Education has managed to raise RM9.2 million in donations for embattled Palestinians
According to New Straits Times, the sum was collected for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund during the Palestine Solidarity Week that took place from 29 October to 3 November.
The event involved thousands of educational institutions nationwide under the purview of the Ministry of Education.
In a Facebook post, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the event aimed to instill humanitarian values in students and ministry staff members, with a focus on human rights, security, and compassion.
The seven-day event culminated in an event held at Sultan Alam Shah School in Putrajaya on 3 November, where a mock cheque was handed over to the Education Minister
The event, known as the Global Peace Solidarity Gathering, was attended by 800 students from several educational institutions under the ministry.
Over 200 ministry officials were also present to witness the mock cheque being handed over from ministry secretary-general Datuk Nik Nasarudin Mohd Zawawi to Fadhlina.
Activities during the event included poetry recitals, drama and vocal singing performances, as well as several humanitarian speeches.
Despite the event's success, there have been calls for the government to refrain from involving children in geopolitical events
Recently, several education-related circles expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry's decision to involve young students in geopolitical causes. Some even raised concerns about the potential spread of extremist ideologies among Malaysia's youth.
In late October, images surfaced online showing Malaysian children and teachers from local schools wielding mock firearms, seemingly in support of the government's programmes in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Meanwhile, there have also been arguments supporting such programmes, with the Education Minister emphasising the importance of providing students with balanced exposure and perspectives on current events and political issues, despite their young age.
In Gaza, the death toll has continued to climb with at least 9,770 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since 7 October
According to Al Jazeera, more than 1,400 people have also been killed in Israel during the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Palestine-based Hamas.
On 6 November, latest reports from the region told of more heavy bombing targeting Gaza City, with areas around hospitals in particular experiencing heavy attacks.
