TEHRAN - On the eve of International Quds Day, individuals, organizations, and political groupings have called for a massive turnout for the demonstrations on Friday.

International Quds Day is an annual event in which anti-Zionist demonstrations are held across the world on the last Friday of Ramadan to protest against Israel’s occupation of Beit-ul-Muqaddas (Jerusalem) and other Palestinian territories. The event was first proposed in 1979 by the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini.
Seminary teachers urge Muslims to attend demonstrations
The Qom Seminary Teachers Society issued a statement on Tuesday urging Muslims to participate in the demonstrations on Quds Day.
The Qom Seminary Teachers Society invites everyone to attend the demonstrations on International Quds Day to show solidarity with the resistance of the oppressed Palestinians and to emphasize the necessity of unity among Muslims, part of the statement said.
The statement also denounced the atrocities committed by the Zionists in Palestine and the deafening silence of international organizations and asked the self-proclaimed standard-bearers of human rights to open their eyes to what is happening in Palestine.
The statement added: “Isn’t it high time for the upholders of democracy and freedom to break their silence… in the face of the murder of civilians, especially women and children, in Palestine?”
Everyone should attend demonstrations
Mohammad Mahdi Abd-e-Khodai of the Islamic Devotees’ Society stated out that everyone should attend the Friday demonstrations, regardless of their political persuasion.
“We should put aside all (political) inclinations on Quds Day and attend the demonstrations for the sake of all those children that have been killed and the bereaved families,” he told the Mehr News Agency on Tuesday.
He went on to say that all Muslim nations should unite and hold demonstrations on this day to vociferously protest against the brutal massacres of Gazans by the Zionist regime.
The Zionist regime’s reputation has been ruined and it is now only trying to survive, Abd-e-Khodai said.
He also pointed out that all Muslims should make efforts to avoid schisms and should stand united against the enemies.
Quds Day transcends political persuasions
Followers of the Imam and Leadership Front spokesman Kamal Sajjadi said that Quds Day transcends political persuasions and all parties should attend the demonstrations.
“Quds Day is not (a concept) limited to particular parties and groupings and is a global issue. It is in keeping with the values and objectives of the Islamic Revolution,” he told MNA on Tuesday.
Sajjadi praised Imam Khomeini’s decision to declare the last Friday of Ramadan International Quds Day and stated that this day is a special day not only in Iran but all across the globe.
This day has been so influential that in some countries Muslims hold demonstrations on the last Sunday of Ramadan because they are not able to stage the events on Friday, he said.
He also emphasized the necessity of unity among Muslims, saying, “The day provides a golden opportunity for Muslims across the world to demonstrate their unity and solidarity in opposition to the oppression in occupied Palestine.”
Quds Day is the symbol of unity
Islamic Revolution Devotees Society Deputy Chairman Lotfollah Forouzandeh stated that Quds day is the symbol of unity.
“All groupings and parties should set aside their differences on Quds Day because this day is the symbol of the unity of Muslims,” he told MNA on Tuesday.
Today, the Quds issue is the main cause of the Islamic world and has become the vanguard of the Muslims’ campaign against racial discrimination, oppression, and occupation, he said.