– Chastise IPC for stripping Malaysia hosting right
– ‘We’ll rather stand with Palestine than host the championship’
Millions of Malaysians have hailed the country’s Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamed for banning Israeli athletes, who are expected to participate at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships later this year.
The show of love and affection for the 93 year old leader of the mainly Muslim country comes barely a day after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stripped Malaysia of its hosting right of the sporting event, initially slated for July 29-August 4, 2019.
Muslim News learnt that the event, which is expected to attract athletes from 70 countries, is a qualifying competition for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Many who expressed their views on social media said the ban on Israeli delegates was a welcome development.
They also chastised the IPC for withdrawing Malaysia’s right to host the championship, saying they will rather stand with the oppressed Palestinians than host the Championship with Israeli athletes in attendance.
Earlier, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had issued a strong statement where he said the country stood by its decision to bar Israeli athletes.
“If hosting an international sporting event is more important than standing up for our Palestinian brothers and sisters who get murdered, maimed and tortured by the Netanyahu regime, that means Malaysia has truly loss its moral compass”, he said, justifying the ban against the apartheid Israeli nation.”
See some of their reactions below:
Adib Dan Aqilah said: I’m Malaysian and we don’t care about this championships. We only care about humanity. #StandWithPalestine #Proudtobemalaysian.
Muhd Asyraff said: Congratulations Malaysia, proud to be Malaysian! We 🇲🇾 Don’t Care, We stand For palestin 🇵🇸
🇲🇾 always Support 🇵🇸
#humanity1st #standwithpalestine
#palestinewillbefree #webanisraelterroristzionist
Ku Abdillah wrote: I̲s̲r̲a̲e̲l̲ b̲l̲o̲c̲k̲e̲d̲ s̲e̲a̲, a̲i̲r̲ a̲n̲d̲ l̲a̲n̲d̲ t̲o̲ G̲a̲z̲a̲, b̲o̲m̲b̲i̲n̲g̲ s̲c̲h̲o̲o̲l̲s̲ a̲n̲d̲ h̲o̲s̲p̲i̲t̲a̲l̲s̲ – n̲e̲v̲e̲r̲ m̲i̲n̲d̲
M̲a̲l̲a̲y̲s̲i̲a̲ b̲l̲o̲c̲k̲e̲d̲ I̲s̲r̲a̲e̲l̲’s̲ p̲a̲r̲a̲l̲y̲m̲p̲i̲c̲ : d̲i̲s̲c̲r̲i̲m̲i̲n̲a̲t̲i̲o̲n̲
We dont care . I am Malaysian 🇲🇾
We #standwithpalestine 🇵🇸
Eshaa Humaira said: “We’re sorry, we cant welcome ur olympian (Israel) to malaysia, we worried if you guys came here, you guys feels at home in here, then you guys feels to build your home here, then you guys wanted to build your country here, thats really worried much of us”
We Don’t Care. Congratulations Malaysia. Love Palastine 💕
#Humanity1st #Israelterroristzionist
#iamMalaysian #standwithPalestine
MSyafiq Abdul said: Being able to participate in sporting event is a privilege. And for many events, Israel has enjoyed that privilege. Whereas, the Palestinian has been oppressed from even having their basic needs! I am from Malaysia and I am proud of my country’s firm stance on this.
I believe aside from our different political views, most of us will agree with Syed Saddiq this time. I also hope that regardless if a new venue are to be picked later, Malaysia will continue to support by not sending our team to the championship. It’s a shame for our para team, but I guess we should take the high ground and stand with Palestine.
