$72.5 million raised at ‘Ramadan Village’ to support Palestine 

A grand total of $72.5 million to support Palestine was raised from donations Saturday night at the Guyanan’s National Ramadan Village being held at the Muslim Youth Organisation ground in Georgetown.

This sum was handed over to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main humanitarian agency in Gaza.

According to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the mammoth sum demonstrates the humanity and love Guyanese possess, particularly for those experiencing undue suffering in Gaza. And for him, it was even more important that the Muslim community joined hands and prayed for global peace including in Guyana and Palestine.

“These resources were realised from every single community across the country.

“They were raised in spirit and community,” President Ali said.

The $72.5 million donation excludes any contributions made directly to the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana’s (CIOG) bank account.

Altogether, Guyana hopes to contribute to efforts at getting humanitarian aid into Gaza. For six months now, Gaza has been battling an Israeli siege.

In its latest update, Gaza’s Health Ministry said 33,175 Palestinians have been killed and 75,886 wounded since Israel launched its war in October. Israel’s offensive was reportedly prompted by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

President Ali remained consistent with his calls for an end to the violence in Gaza. On Saturday night, however, the Guyanese Head of State said a genocide was unfolding in Gaza.

“This is genocide, it’s the first publicly-televised genocide in the world. It must stop,” President Ali said.