Early on Wednesday morning, a group of Christians set off from Mernda into the Melbourne CBD in support of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
The pilgrimage is the first of more than 96 walks planned in 15 countries around the world as part of the global GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com movement over Lent, the Christian season leading up to Easter.
The Melbourne ceasefire pilgrimage has been organised by Christians from all different backgrounds in response to Palestinian Christians (in Australia and Palestine) calling for support from fellow Christians about the horror being experienced by Palestinians.
The pilgrims’ 34 kilometre journey, starting at 3.50am, with the group stopping for prayer at a variety of churches along the way, as well as with Jewish and Muslim friends who are also calling for a lasting ceasefire.
The walk culminated at St Paul’s Cathedral at 6pm, where the pilgrims were welcomed as part of the Ash Wednesday service.
Their pilgrimage symbolically mirrors the walk from Gaza City to Rafah which Palestinians have been forced to take because of Israel’s military assaults and forced evacuations.
Mid-morning, about 45 people had been involved in the walk which was more than they had predicted and it had continued to grow. Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny was among those supporting the group on Wednesday.
James Harris is the inspiration behind the walks and was among those to take off from Mernda on Wednesday morning.
He said 15 per cent of Palestine’s globally are Christian.
“I wanted to do something, I didn’t know what or how,” he said. “It’s powerful to have a voice.
Harris and the group is calling for an enduring ceasefire in Gaza and access to humanitarian aid to be granted.
“We want the end of occupation, not just peace,” he said. “Everyone doing these pilgrimages will be asking for it.”
Njoud Abu Duou, a Palestinian Christian, was one of the organisers of the Melbourne walk.
Her family is on the West Bank but can see what is happening in Gaza. She said she wants to use her voice to raise awareness of what is going on.
“My people are dying and suffering in Palestine,” she said. “They do not see us as people.
“We need to step outside the box and we need to keep the spark alive.”
She is calling for a ceasefire to the fighting to save the kids.
Reverend Alex Sangster said he had been inspired by what James wanted to do and that people wanted to walk for justice.
He said they were calling for food and humanitarian assistance for those in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the end of occupation.
He said they were stopping at schools, churches and mosques along the way.
“It’s a humble act of raising awareness,” he said. “It’s all fairly overwhelming. We don’t want eyes turned away from Gaza.”
