Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
Despite a busy test week for students at the University Of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), it did not stop a small group of students of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) from raising awareness about the struggles of Palestinians.
Despite the challenges of securing guest speakers and representatives from Palestinian organisations on short notice, the MSA pressed forward with a Palestine Awareness table in the midst of the bustling quad at the UKZN Westville Campus.
This initiative featured the sale of various Palestine-themed items, including key rings, mugs, and more, whereby proceeds from the sales went towards campaigns aimed at providing financial support to individuals and families in need in Palestine.
MSA Chair Yahya Khan said: “Generations before us have struggled in the past. We need to make sure it does not happen again and show our support for the people of Palestine,” he said.
Aaliyah Lockhat, the MSA Outreach and Events Organiser, emphasised the urgent need for students in KwaZulu-Natal to adopt a more proactive stance and become actively engaged in advocacy efforts. She told Al-Qalam that unlike the robust participation seen among students at universities abroad, as well as those at the University of Cape Town and the University of Witwatersrand, the level of involvement at KZN campuses is significantly lower than it should be.
She said even small actions can raise awareness about the scholasticide, war crimes, and the dire situation in Gaza, expressing hope that their efforts, however modest, will provide support to those affected.
“We’ve had an incredible turnout for this event, which is actually our third pro-Palestine initiative,” she said.
Lockhat noted that the Student Representative Council (SRC) has also been supporting the MSA’s activism efforts, providing students with a platform to express their voices and recognising the importance of their perspectives on the matter.
“Student activism starts with us; if we aren’t willing to stand up to revolt and protest, it dies with us,” she said.
