- Coinciding with Human Rights Day on Thursday 21 March, faith-based groups, activists and people from all walks of life joined a 41 km pilgrimage from Simon’s Town to Cape Town, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
- The global initiative saw 160 pilgrimage walks take place in 20 countries, including the United States of America (USA).
- The 41 km represents the 41 km of Gaza from north to south in Rafah
Coinciding with Human Rights Day on Thursday 21 March, faith-based groups, activists and people from all walks of life joined a 41 km pilgrimage from Simon’s Town to Cape Town, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The global initiative saw 160 pilgrimage walks take place in 20 countries, including the United States of America (USA).
Rev Riaan de Villiers from the Dutch Reformed Church Groote Kerk in Cape Town described the walk as a collective effort between different religious groups.
“The significance for us is that the walk was held on Human Rights Day, so we are also reminded of the Sharpeville massacre.”
“We see the similarities between what’s happening in Palestine and we are reminded that we also had the same struggles.”
As reverend of the “first church established by colonialists” and a church that “backed apartheid” De Villiers says the walk was a reminder that struggles can be overcome.
“The (Dutch Reformed) Groote Kerk situated in the city centre is the oldest Christian congregation in the country.
“You have the slave lodge situated nearby, which also reminds us of the colonialism and slavery struggle we had.”
Reflecting on the walk, De Villiers said it was amazing to have a collective from Christians to Muslims, Jewish and non-religious community groups come together with one goal.
“The Muslim community came along during Ramadan to join the walk in the heat without drinking any water during the fast, which was amazing,” he said.
“It is Lent in the Christian calendar as well, so we found it important to have a strong voice because there is no way we can condone genocide.”
Meanwhile, Rev Michael Weeder, Dean of St George’s Cathedral, said there was “a lot of excitement” among marchers.
“The 41 km represents the 41 km of Gaza from north to south in Rafah,” he said.
“So much of our faith tradition speaks powerfully to what is happening in the lives of fellow Christians and Muslim and Jewish people. The Jews are also affected by what’s happening in Palestine…they have anxiety, guilt, and fear and those are real things.”
In a statement, Catholic Archbishop of Cape Town cardinal Stephen Brislin, said the church believed in peace.
“We pray for peace and we work for peace – a peace that is founded on justice and equality for all.”
However, attacks carried out on Palestinian people cannot be ignored.
“The attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as the recent announcement of a new Israeli settlement being planned on Palestinian territory, lends credence to the claim that what is happening is genocidal and ethnic cleansing.”
Brislin said the walk highlighted the horror faced by the Palestinian people.
“Doing so on Human Rights Day highlights the horror of what is happening in the Holy Land as the entire population of Gaza is being starved and deprived of water and medical supplies in an act of collective punishment, while they continue to suffer a relentless bombardment which began six months ago.
“We condemn all violence meted out against civilians, especially the most vulnerable such as women and children.”
Brislin appealed for the release of hostages and an immediate ceasefire.
“We plead with those countries and governments that have influence to take the necessary concrete actions to ensure that a lasting ceasefire is accomplished,” he said.
“We cannot be silent, and we join our voices with the millions of people throughout the world who are calling for an end to this terror.”
