Over 8,000 people, including members from the Diplomatic Corps, gathered for a peace walk in a show of solidarity for Palestine at BIBD Connects, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas yesterday morning.
The Steps for Solidarity: A Fundraising Walk for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund aimed at bringing the community together to promote peace, raise awareness, and engage in positive fundraising activities for all ages to support the collection of the National Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023.
The initiative was co-organised by Brunei Youth Council, Big BWN Project, Projek FEED, Lily Imani, Young Professionals Network Brunei, Brunei Medical Association, Brunei Ophthalmology Society, MuBn Learning and Growth Company and Riyya.
It was also supported by the Community Development Department (JAPEM), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Health Promotion Centre, BIBD Connects, Sukarelawan Belia, Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Projek #INFAQ1, Beveragesbywafi and over 100 volunteers.
Mohammad Ashmeer Imtiaz Ahmad, in an interview with the Bulletin said, “Alhamdulillah, there is overwhelming response from the public. In the early morning, a Fajr programme was held at the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the capital, where a talk on ‘Lessons from Palestine’ was held after a mass Subuh prayer. Over 300 people attended the talk.”
The 2.5-kilometre peace walkathon began at 6am from BIBD Connects and along Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas as the core event and ended at the BIBD Connects.
Popup sales were also set up across the BIBD Connects area. Over six physical donation boxes were brought around the walk to raise funds.
Vendors also contributed 100 per cent of sales proceeds to the Palestinian humanitarian fund.
Over BND1,100 were collected from the sales by vendors, not including the donation boxes, which will be handed over to JAPEM for counting and verification. – James Kon
