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Not to be confused with Jerusalem Day

International al-Quds Day (Template:Lang-fa or Template:Lang-fa, Quds Day), is an annual event on the last Friday of Ramadan, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and opposing Zionism as well as Israel's control of Jerusalem (both West Jerusalem and occupied-East Jerusalem). Anti-Zionist demonstrations are held on this day in some Muslim and Arab countries and by Muslim and Arab communities around the world, but particularly in Iran, where Ayatollah Khomeini first introduced the event. The Iranian government sponsors and organizes the day's parades within Iran. In recent years, only a marginal proportion of young Iranians have attended.

History

The parade originated in Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The observance was mandated by Ayatollah Khomeini, then Supreme Leader of Iran, in August of that year, proclaiming:

I invite Muslims all over the globe to consecrate the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan as Al-Quds Day and to proclaim the international solidarity of Muslims in support of the legitimate rights of the Muslim people of Palestine. For many years, I have been notifying the Muslims of the danger posed by the usurper Israel which today has intensified its savage attacks against the Palestinian brothers and sisters, and which, in the south of Lebanon in particular, is continually bombing Palestinian homes in the hope of crushing the Palestinian struggle. I ask all the Muslims of the world and the Muslim governments to join together to sever the hand of this usurper and its supporters. I call on all the Muslims of the world to select as Al-Quds Day the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan - which is itself a determining period and can also be the determiner of the Palestinian people’s fate - and through a ceremony demonstrating the solidarity of Muslims world-wide, announce their support for the legitimate rights of the Muslim people. I ask God Almighty for the victory of the Muslims over the infidels.

— Ayatollah Khomeini

In solidarity with the Palestinians, Khomeini declared the liberation of Jerusalem a religious duty to all Muslims.

Beyond events in Iran, events throughout the Arab-Muslim world are also initiated. There is a focus on countries with large Shi'ite populations, particularly in Lebanon where Hezbollah directs Al-Quds Day. Events have also been held in Syria, Iraq, and the Gaza Strip. Hamas and Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine endorse Al-Quds day and hold ceremonies. Outside of the Middle East, Al-Quds Day has taken place in Britain, Germany, Canada, Sweden, France, the United States and Asian countries.

Events

In Iran, millions of people marched on Quds Day. Senior Iranian leaders give fiery speeches condemning Israel ("the regime occupying Jerusalem") as well as the United States. The crowds respond with chants of "Death to Israel" and "Death to the United States."

2009 Quds Day

In 2009, supporters of the opposition used the government-organized Quds Day to stage protests against Ahmadinejad and the Iranian government in response to the disputed Iranian presidential elections. Former president Mohammad Khatami, who took part in the opposition protest, had his black turban pulled off, a great insult in Shia Islam. Estimates put the opposition protest in the tens of thousands with videos and photos showing large crowds against the government, shouting slogans in support of presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousaviand against Ahmadinejad. Rejecting the government's support of Palestinian militancy, opposition protesters chanted, "No to Gaza and Lebanon, I will give my life for Iran.” There were reports of similar protests in Isfahan, Tabriz, Yazd and Shiraz.

The State TV played down the unrest. State-funded Press TV reported that millions of Iranians marched for the Palestinian cause in Iran and different countries throughout the Middle East and the world; other sources put the number at "tens of thousands" of government supporters. Ten anti-government protesters were arrested during the demonstrations. An angry crowd of hardliners attacked Mousavi's car while shouting "Death to the hypocrite Mousavi." In other cities Basiji militiamen attacked protesters.

On 2009 Quds Day, Ahmadinejad denied the existence of the Holocaust, sparking international outcry. He stated, "The pretext (Holocaust) for the creation of the Zionist regime (Israel) is false ... It is a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim." His statements drew immediate condemnation from the United States, Russia, and the European Union.

See also

• Iran-Israel relations
• Jumu'ah-tul-Wida, also on the last Friday in the month of Ramadan

Notes

1. Rafsanjani invited Iranian people to attend the Quds day, BBC Persian
2. Sokolski, Henry D. (2007). Gauging U.S.-Indian strategic cooperation. Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College. p. 166. ISBN 9781584872849. Many Muslims commemorate Al Quds Day by protesting against the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem where the Al Quds mosque is located. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
3. Explosion of fury on al Quds day, Abigail Fielding-Smith, The National, September 18, 2009.
4. "Hundeds clash in Iran protests." Metro.co.uk. 18 September 2009. 18 September 2009.
5. Yitzhak Reiter (2008). Jerusalem and its role in Islamic solidarity. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 154. ISBN 0230607829, 9780230607828. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
6. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/09/200991875246806121.html
7. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8263467.stm
8. Cite error: The named reference Howard was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
9. Imam Khomeini’s message announcing Quds Day, dated 7 August 1979 (16 Murdad 1358 AHS). Sahifa-y Nur, Vol. 8, p. 229.
10. Khan, M.A. Muqtedar (2004). Jihad for Jerusalem: identity and strategy in international relations. Google Books. p. 157. Retrieved 19 September 2009. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
11. Friedland, Roger (1996). To Rule Jerusalem. Google Books. p. 370. Retrieved 19 September 2009. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
12. ^ "Jerusalem Day". Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
13. ^ WORTH, ROBERT F. (2009-09-19). "Despite Warning, Thousands Rally in Iran". pp. A1. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
14. Tens of thousands march in opposition protests, Sep. 19, 2009
15. ^ Chick, Kristen (2009.09.19). "New protests surge in Iran as Ahmadinejad denies Holocaust again". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2009-09-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. ^ "Protests in Iran". Retrieved Sept 18, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
17. "Millions march in Al-Quds day 2009". Retrieved Sept 18, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
18. "Reformist leaders attacked as thousands march in fresh Iran protests". The Associated Press and Reuters. Haaretz. 19/09/2009. Retrieved 2009-09-21. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
19. "Ahmadinejad says Holocaust a lie, Israel has no future". Reuters. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
20. "Ahmadinejad's isolationism". The Guardian. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
21. "EU condemns Ahmadinejad's comments on Holocaust". Hindustan Times. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009.

External links

• Official International Quds Day
• Ayotollah Khomeini's pronouncements on al-Quds
• Jihad and jingoism on Iran's streets Guardian Unlimited on Quds Day demonstrations
• Iranian protesters in the 2009 Quds day, shouting slogans against the Iranian government

• Moveable holidays (2014 date missing)
• Anti-Zionism
• Antisemitism
• Civil awareness days
• Foreign relations of Iran
• Iran-Israel relations
• Jerusalem
• Palestinian politics