Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah was moved to tears while listening to the struggles of the people of Gaza through the voices of Palestinian students. On October 21, Raja Zarith Sofiah held a dialogue session with Palestinian students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
In the session, Raja Zarith Sofiah expressed her sadness after following the news on social media about the current situation in Palestine since October 8. She believes that the world needs to take action to help and alleviate the suffering in the region.
Accompanied by Che’ Puan Besar Khaleeda, Pro-Chancellor of UTM, Raja Zarith Sofiah, who is also the Chancellor of UTM, had the opportunity to hear the experiences of several Palestinian students who shared their hardships, including facing daily death and injury, as well as severe food and water shortages.
The students also expressed their concern about their families’ well-being, as they were unable to contact them due to electricity and internet cuts. A total of 31 Palestinian students are currently studying at UTM at different academic levels, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees.
The presence of UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail during the dialogue session brought solace and relief to the distressed Palestinian students. Prof. Ahmad Fauzi assured them of UTM’s support during this challenging and uncertain period.
Overall, the dialogue session allowed Raja Zarith Sofiah and the attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the Palestinian students’ situation and concerns, as well as to discuss potential actions that can be taken to assist Gaza.
Through this meaningful engagement, Raja Zarith Sofiah and the UTM community aim to contribute to the global efforts in addressing the crisis in Palestine and alleviate the suffering of its people.
The dialogue session not only provided a platform for the Palestinian students to share their stories but also highlighted the importance of empathy and international solidarity in times of conflict and humanitarian crises.
By actively listening to the voices of the affected individuals, Raja Zarith Sofiah and UTM aim to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles in Gaza and encourage others to support and take action.
Amidst the despair and uncertainty faced by the Palestinian students, the dialogue session served as a source of comfort and reassurance, reminding them that they are not alone in their fight for a better future.
Together, Raja Zarith Sofiah, UTM, and the Palestinian students hope to inspire positive change and make a difference in the lives of those affected by the conflict in Palestine.
