By Ahmed Esad Sani  

ISTANBUL

Fresh from performing in Istanbul for an appreciative crowd gathered in solidarity with Palestinians, Muslim singing star Maher Zain took out the time to praise Turkish support for Palestine.   

“The support of the Turkish people and President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan], how much they have done for Palestine, for Syria, for many other countries around the world, like the Muslims in Rohingya, this is something we are very proud of and we support on all levels,” the 36-year-old Lebanese-born Swedish R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer told Anadolu Agency.  

“It was really amazing to see how many people come out to show their support,” he added. 

Last Friday, thousands flocked to a mass rally in Yenikapi, Istanbul called by Erdogan to show solidarity with the Palestinians, after dozens of people were killed by Israeli troops during protests last week.  

Last Monday, at least 65 Palestinians were martyred by Israeli gunfire during protests in eastern Gaza. Thousands more were injured.  

The demonstration coincided with the Nakba -- the “catastrophe,” marking the anniversary of the founding of Israel and the resulting injustices -- and relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. 

Since the Gaza rallies began on March 30, more than 110 Palestinian demonstrators have been martyred by Israeli army gunfire. 

Zain took the stage at Friday’s event and sang his song “Palestine would be free”. 

“The people who were there were very excited and there was a lot of energy, there was a lot of emotion, and you can see that,” he said.

“When I sang ‘Palestine would be free,’ people were cheering, clapping. It was great, very powerful.”

Zain -- who also sings in seven languages, including Turkish, Arabic, and French -- said that it “was great to be part of the event,” and “to show the people of Palestine that the people outside haven’t forgotten them.”

“Any kind of support that we can show them is good,” as what the Palestinians are going through is not easy, he added.