Quds Day
Annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Quds Day (lit. 'Jerusalem Day'), officially known as International Quds Day (Persian: روز جهانی قدس, romanized: Ruz Jahâni Quds), is an annual pro-Palestinian event held on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to express support for Palestinians and oppose Israel and Zionism.[2] It takes its name from the Arabic name for Jerusalem: al-Quds.
Quds Day | |
---|---|
Official name | روز جهانی قدس (Ruz Jahâni Quds) |
Observed by | Arab world, Muslim world, anti-Zionists |
Type | International |
Significance | Demonstrations against Zionism, the State of Israel, and the Israeli occupation of Jerusalem; solidarity with the Palestinian people |
Date | Last Friday of Ramadan |
2023 date | April 14[1] |
2024 date | April 5 |
Frequency | Annual |
Started by | Ruhollah Khomeini |
Related to | Iranian Revolution Palestinian nationalism Anti-Zionism |
The event was first held in 1979 in Iran, shortly after the Iranian Revolution. The day exists partly in opposition to Israel's Jerusalem Day, which has been celebrated by Israelis since May 1968 and was declared a national holiday by the Knesset in 1998.[3] Today, rallies are held on Quds Day in various countries in the Muslim world, as well as in non-Muslim communities around the world,[4] in protest against the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem.[5][6]
Critics of Quds Day have argued that it is antisemitic.[7][8] In Iran, the day is marked by widespread speeches and rallies that have been frequented by chants of "Death to Israel, Death to America."[9][10] Israeli flags have also been subjected to both trampling and burning.[9] Quds Day rallies have also featured demonstrations against other countries and causes.[11][12][13]