Some of the country’s top non-governmental organizations (NGO) are expected to gather in Gauteng this weekend, for a ‘Gaza Crisis Conference’ to discuss a unified strategy on how to move forward in the fight for Palestinian freedom. The meeting, which is being hosted by the United Muslim Nation organization, is in response to 67 years of failed activism, which has done little to curb the Israeli occupation.

According to United Muslim Nation founder, Salman Khan, the conference was an effort to unite the local Muslim ummah, and give them an opportunity to interact, and attempt the re-think a collective effort towards the crisis. He said they would aim to bring about a solitary and unified strategy on how to continue the pro-Palestinian activism.

“The whole theme of this conference is not to reinvent the view that there is a lot of NGO’s working on this very good cause. Rather what we want to do is refresh the thinking and strategize a cause,” he said.

Khan said one of the major flaws in local activism was that the community always reacted to the current situations in the region, instead of planning ahead and finding a long lasting solution. Another major factor according to him was the fragmented and divided nature of the Ummah on the issue.

“Look at South Africa, why is there a need for 120 NGO’s that are working on it? Why is there not one that can control the whole NGO sector,” he suggested.

The conference is expected to see presentations from Cosatu, the ANC, Amnesty International, and Jamiatul Ulema amongst others. The presentations alone are expected to take up half the event itself.

“The rest of the afternoon we will be dividing the people into the four pillars of activism, which is a model that was used by the ANC. We are using the same model to see how we can work it into the different groups,” he said.

The conference will also look at the social media aspect of activism, as well as creative ways of conducting fundraising towards relief efforts in the region.

The conference will take place in Fordsburg, Guateng this coming Saturday. Registration will take place at 08:45am, with the conference itself starting at 09:00am.

For more information on how to attend the event, you can contact Salman Khan directly at 082 691 6048, or via email at salkhan1@yahoo.com. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)