KUCHING, Oct 31: Refrain from extremist rhetoric with the use of firearms, weapons and tools that could be seen as symbols of provocation and violence tops the list of don’ts in the guidelines for conducting Palestine Solidarity Week in schools.
This came following the recent controversy triggered by online images and videos of students brandishing toy guns.
The guidelines released by Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek on her social media yesterday (Oct 30) strongly advised against singling out any individual or religion, and cautioned against blaming or making generalisations based on their policies and actions.
It also emphasised that facts delivered are genuine and not misleading, and discouraged activities that could incite confrontation, conflict or tension, such as street protests.
Additionally, the guidelines stressed the avoidance of partisan politics and advocates for a fair and balanced perspective on the ongoing issue, even though the programme aims to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine.
It reminded participating educational institutions to steer clear of using symbols or icons that could instigate controversy, including flags, slogans, or images that might provoke negative sentiments.
As for the do’s, the guidelines encourage a focus on humanitarian values, peace promotion, and the advocacy of justice and harmony in all activities.
Fadhlina recommends various activities such as hosting talks, exhibitions, and showing documentaries to offer a realistic portrayal of the situation in Palestine.
Moreover, she suggested inviting knowledgeable speakers to shed light on the conflict and facilitating open dialogues with question-and-answer sessions to explore diverse perspectives on the issue.
She also called for collaboration with experienced humanitarian organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and welcomed the organisation of charity drives to collect essential supplies like food, clothing or educational materials.
On Oct 25, a circular from the Ministry of Education calling for public schools and education institutions to observe a Palestine Solidarity Week from Oct 29 until Nov 3 resulted in severe backlash from many sectors in Sarawak.
Defending the initiative, Fadhline asserted that it was necessary to impart humanitarian values among students, which also aligned with the Malaysian government’s stance to support the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people.
However, controversy erupted last week over the initiative when pictures and videos surfaced online of school students in Peninsular Malaysia wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and brandishing replica guns, which immediately sparked public outcry.
This caused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to call for scrutiny of all activities and events associated with the Palestinian Solidarity Week to prevent things from getting out of control. — DayakDaily
