ucanews.com reporter, Kuala Lumpur
Updated: June 01, 2010 10:11 AM GMTMalaysians of all faiths have been called to unite in prayer over the attack by Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound relief aid ship that left at least 10 and possibly 19 dead and many others injured. The fate of at least 11 Malaysians who had joined the flotilla aimed at breaking the Gaza naval blockade is not known. "We call for all Malaysians from all faiths and religions to pray for the safety of the Malaysians abducted as well as other members of the flotilla,” said advisor to the Perdana Global Peace organization Mukhriz Mahathir in a statement. “We hope that the people of Malaysia will come together to demand the safe release of all the peace activists whose only objective was to deliver much needed aid to the people of Gaza. The Israeli attack sparked a global outrage with many calling for international cooperation to ensure Israel is held accountable for the attack. In Kuala Lumpur, protestors from Muslim-based NGOs and political parties gathered outside the US embassy June 1 in two separate demonstrations to protest Israel’s action. At least 100 Palestinians living in Malaysia were among the demonstrators. They burned and ground beneath their feet photos of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the suburb of Damansara, where the UN office is located, members of the ruling National Front youth wing burned and trod on an Israeli flag. Some carried banners which read: "Punish Israel." The Bar Council of Malaysia strongly branded the attack "offensive and unacceptable." "Such flagrant hostility is deplorable, particularly as it was perpetrated in a deliberate and unprovoked assault on a peaceful initiative, and in international waters,” bar council president Ragunath Kesavan said in a statement. Chandra Muzaffar, president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an international NGO based in Malaysia, said in a statement that the massacre has "once again revealed to the world what this rogue regime is all about. It is evil incarnate." Related reports Holy Land pilgrims urged to help Palestinians Religious Leaders Express Concerns About Lasting Peace In Gaza ML09909.1604