Millions march globally for International Quds Day

Millions of people in Iran and across the world are taking to the streets to mark the International Quds Day, voicing their solidarity with Palestinians and decrying Israeli genocide in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, the spokesman of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the director-general of Intifada committee in Tehran, announced earlier that the pro-Palestine rallies in Iran would start at 10 AM local time and were to be held in more than 900 cities across the country.

The mass rallies are held in many countries in the West Asian region, including Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon, as well as many others across the globe.

Senior Iranian officials are attending the rally in Tehran, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf about to address the event.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, delivered a message on the eve of the International Quds Day : "The Quds Day rally is always a demonstration of the unity and strength of the Iranian nation.  It’s over 40 years now that the Iranian nation has been participating in the rally for Quds Day in cold weather, in warm weather, while fasting, throughout the country, and not just in cities. People participate in big cities, in small cities, and in villages. Thus, the Quds Day rally is a source of honor for the Iranian nation."

"In my opinion, this rally is even more important this year. The nations of the world are on our side," he added.

Al-Quds Day, or simply Quds Day, is an annual, international day held every year on the last Friday of Ramadan to express support for Palestine and oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Large rallies are held as Israel continues its attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini, established Quds Day in 1979 shortly after the Islamic Revolution in Iran to show solidarity with Palestinians. It has since become a symbol of resistance.