Al-Qalam 
(AP PHOTO/ADEL HANA)
Abdelrahman Shat, a PhD student in Durban, urged South African Muslims to selflessly help the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives, writes Ismail Suder.
As Hamas and Zionists exchange the second batch of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners tomorrow (Saturday), a Durban-based Palestinian PhD student who lost 59 members of his extended family in the genocide says the people of Gaza will never be ethnically cleansed from their land.
Abdelrahman Shat, a PhD student of Business and Management in Durban, managed to get his parents out through the Rafah border after they spent 90 days between Khan Younis and Rafah border into Egypt and then onwards to Durban. Their exit out of Gaza happened just before the brutal Israeli assault on Rafah, his hometown.
He told Al-Qalam: “Yes, the loss has been devastating. Since the attacks began on October 7th, 2023, we have lost 59 members of my extended family in the Gaza Strip. Each of them was a beloved part of our lives, with dreams and aspirations that were brutally cut short.”
When a permanent ceasefire happens, he and his elderly parents would want to return to Gaza, but only after their homes, which were bombed, are rebuilt,” he said.
“Gaza is our home, and my parents, like many Palestinians, hold an unshakable hope to return to our land. However, our houses in Gaza have all been destroyed in the attacks, leaving us with nothing to return to at the moment. The activation of the reconstruction process will be vital for us and many other families to rebuild our homes and lives”.
He said all Palestinians in South Africa maintain a deep emotional connection to Gaza and are eager to contribute to its recovery. “Rebuilding Gaza is not just about infrastructure but about restoring dignity, hope, and life to a land that has suffered so much. Given the chance, many of us would return to help in any way we can”, he added.
He urged South African Muslims to do their utmost to help in the reconstruction of Gaza and to do what they can to bring hope and restore dignity to its people.
“Muslims should continue their unwavering support and solidarity with Gaza. This is not a short-term cause—it is a mission that requires persistence, resilience, and dedication until the very last day. Your advocacy, humanitarian aid, and efforts to raise awareness will make a profound difference, he said,
“Additionally, we have a collective responsibility to educate the people of Africa and the world about the reality of the situation in Palestine and expose the truth about the enemy of humanity. I urge South African Muslims to mobilize every available resource and extend their efforts to ensure that every household in South Africa and across the continent is aware of and advocates for Palestine. Together, we can amplify the voice of justice and stand firmly against oppression”.
Abdelrahman added: “Families have been torn apart, many buried under rubble, their cries unheard amidst the chaos. For those of us watching from afar, like my own family, the helplessness amplifies the pain. We are torn between our lives abroad and the aching reality of loved ones caught in a cycle of devastation.
“As a student, balancing the weight of this pain while pursuing education is a challenge only Palestinians truly understand. It is a unique burden, but it also fuels our determination to succeed—for ourselves, for our families, and for Gaza.
He was hopeful that Gaza would one day be a beacon of hope.
“Amid the rubble, we dream of rebuilding. We dream of a Gaza where children can laugh without fear, where homes are havens, not targets, and where schools inspire futures, not tears. Our dream is simple: to live freely and thrive in our homeland, unburdened by oppression. We envision a Gaza where innovation and education flourish, a place that serves as a beacon of resilience and hope.
“To the people and government of South Africa, thank you for standing with Gaza. Your solidarity reminds us that we are not alone. As a nation that has overcome its own struggles, you know the profound value of justice and freedom. We ask you to continue amplifying your voice against the siege, advocating for accountability, and championing the cause of dignity for Gaza,” he added.
Iqbal Jassat, an executive member of the Media Review Network, said 15 months of withstanding and resisting Zionism’s brutal scorched-earth military policies that saw the destruction of lives and properties, the evil, inhumane deprivation of water, food, and medical care and displacement of the entire population, is a remarkable feat.
“Benjamin Netanyahu and his criminal gang of warlords have failed to dislodge and dismember Hamas. His failure is shrouded in shame, humiliation and despair. And worse, along with his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, he faces arrest warrants.
“With the colonial regime’s reputation in tatters, Hamas and all the Resistance factions are justly able to celebrate victory emanating from the momentous Al Aqsa Flood of October 7.
