Millions of people are taking part in the International Quds Day rallies across Iran and other countries to show their solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people and condemn Israeli atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied territories.
The rallies in Iran, organized by the Islamic Propagation Coordination Council (IPCC), started at 10 a.m. local time (0530 GMT) in Tehran and some 900 others cities and towns across the country.
People taking part in the rallies seek to communicate to the world the deplorable conditions inflicted by Israel upon Palestinians and press the Israeli regime to respect the Palestinian people’s rights.
They are also seizing the opportunity to highlight Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestine and the regime’s atrocities against Palestinians.
Ten routes have been identified for the rallies throughout the Iranian capital, which will witness the commencement of the demonstrations.
Over the past two years, Iran had replaced street rallies with online events to commemorate the International Quds Day as a deadly coronavirus pandemic had restricted mass gatherings across the globe.
Every year on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, worldwide rallies are held to commemorate the Palestinian people’s resistance against Israel and their struggle to liberate their territories, which have been occupied by Israel for decades.
The annual event is seen as an opportunity for freedom-seeking people across the world, regardless of faith, to voice their support for the Palestinian cause and vent their anger against the apartheid regime in Tel Aviv, which has occupied Palestinian territories since 1967.
The International Quds Day is among the legacies of the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, who is revered as a spiritual leader by Muslims across the world. 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 the Quds Day.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have continued their attacks against Palestinian worshipers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of occupied al-Quds.
The troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
At least three people were injured as a result, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Tensions have remained high in the occupied Palestinian territories over the past several weeks. The situation is particularly tense in al-Quds, where the al-Aqsa Mosque compound is located.
Israeli troops have on various occasions attacked Palestinian worshipers there, as they gathered for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The desecration of the mosque has drawn widespread condemnation, with Palestinian resistance groups promising a firm response.