The local Muslim community is expected to turn out in high numbers at the Palestinian support rally organised by Walton Brown Jr.

The event slated for tomorrow at the Bermuda Industrial Union at 7 p.m. is going ahead with the consent of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations. "We intend to send a communique to the Palestinian people through this mission at the end of the event that night," said Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown said no donations were being sought and emphasised that the rally was "purely a symbolic effort".

"Money is not what they need right now, money is not the issue. They need international support to create a consensus to bring pressure to end the problem," he said.

Asked about his motivation for organising the rally Mr. Brown said: "It was borne out of a deep sense of helplessness at watching the news and very biased media reports. The Palestinian people are not equipped with the wherewithal and are being increasingly marginalised.

"I know we cannot do anything effectively here but we can do something symbolically to show our support." And Imam of the Bermuda Masjid Muhammad, Basim Muwwakkil, said local Muslims had become increasingly upset with the situation in Israel. "We have been praying about it for several years," he said. "We think it is an unjust system, it's almost like the treatment Hitler gave the Jews and now they are doing it to someone else."

The Imam said local Muslims would " most definitely" be attending Tuesday's rally. "We the Muslim community are looking at getting the whole thing resolved as soon as possible and hope that people's lives can be saved."

One Muslim woman said: " I do extra prayers for my brother Arafat and pray that Allah will keep him safe.''