News
Launch of Palestinian Exhibition
21 January 2009, by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Lim Kok Wing
As you look around you will see many inspiring images.
This is a place that celebrates creativity. However there are moments when we find ourselves having to respond to very disastrous events that are taking place around the world.
The Middle-East, in particular has never ceased to have a period in history when peace was enjoyed by all who live and work in this region.
The recent conflict in Gaza has taken a terrible toll on the lives of civilians, especially Palestinian children who paid a heavy price.
In this day and age when the world is able to create such wonderful inventions and innovations to preserve and prolong life, it is baffling how our world leaders are unable to find amicable resolution to this long-standing conflict.
It is baffling that many nations, nations that can do something to stop the killing, can look the other way when children are being massacred.
The truce that is now in place was not because children were dying but because the objectives for the incursion have been met.
It is truly a sad state of affairs.
The Middle-East conflict is not new. It has been going on since 1948 and millions of Palestinians have been affected by the ebb and flow of events. Thousands have died.
But I do note a shift in global opinion as testified by the huge demonstrations around the world against the recent massacre.
This is the result of images being broadcast directly from Gaza into the homes of people.
People are more aware now and therefore the reaction is more widespread and more demanding.
Today’s exhibition is a repeat of what the University had highlighted back in 2003 as part of a major peace movement to stop the war on Iraq.
We brought attention to the plight of the Palestinians who are truly a people denied a homeland.
We merely changed the title to reflect current events as the Palestinians move from a scenario of grim prospects to something that is bleak and hopeless.
We have also added new panels that provide a brief history of the Palestinian struggle so people may understand what lies at the root of the conflict between the two states and why world leaders are facing such difficulty in resolving the issue.
We hope students and visitors to the campus will take some time to read the panels and be enlightened on the issue.
Thank you and please do make a contribution which we will pass to the Palestinian Embassy for the purchase of much-needed food and medicine for the people now suffering and trying to rebuild their lives.
