Video game streamer Afiq Mat Zaid, also known as Cikgu Zyd, did not expect his virtual rally for Palestine on the game platform Roblox to go viral on social media. He initially organized the rally on Oct 21 for a small group of local players on Roblox to spread awareness about humanity. The rally took place in the Dataran Tanjung Mas server, created by a 15-year-old student, which is inspired by a popular recreational spot in Muar, Johor.
Word about the rally spread on social media, with one user’s post on X (formerly Twitter) mentioning their 15-year-old cousin participating in the rally on Roblox. Another user shared a clip of the rally from the Dataran Tanjung Mas server, which received over 23 million views. Cikgu Zyd’s TikTok video of the rally has also garnered more than 1.6 million views, with other users inquiring about joining the server on Roblox.
He said more than 197,000 users have visited the server since the first rally was held on Oct 21. — Cikgu Zyd
According to Cikgu Zyd, more than 197,000 players have visited the server since the first rally, with each server hosting up to 200 players at a time. To accommodate more participants, additional servers will be created. When all servers are full, others can watch the rally via a livestream on Facebook. During the rally, players are encouraged to stand together and march towards the main stage, with the option to hold a Malaysian or Palestine flag.
Cikgu Zyd is aware that most Roblox players are young and therefore schedules the march for 5.30pm to 7pm to avoid clashing with school hours. He has received messages from parents who attended the virtual rally with their children. Cikgu Zyd also emphasizes the importance of adhering to Roblox’s community guidelines, which prohibit hate speech and harmful behavior. Administrators are present in each server to monitor behavior, and inappropriate actions lead to players being kicked out.
However, Cikgu Zyd mentioned that the server was temporarily taken down after a rally, and it took three hours to reinstate it. The platform stated that the server needed to be reviewed due to the high volume of people attempting to enter. Despite this setback, Cikgu Zyd appreciates the positive feedback received for the rally and believes it showcases how young people can inspire change and spread awareness online.
