BUKIT JALIL, Oct. 8 -- "My heart is sincere to show solidarity with the GSF volunteers and the Palestinians," said 20-year-old student Asyraf Syahmi Ahmad Khalid as he held up a massive black "Sumud Nusantara" flag and a Palestinian flag outside the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil this evening.

He was among thousands who began gathering as early as 4pm for the "Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza" rally, which is scheduled to start at 8pm.

The crowd, made up of students, civil servants, activists and retirees, came in droves - many by bus - carrying placards with slogans like "From the river to the sea", waving flags, and wearing kaffiyehs and Palestine-themed headbands to show their support.

The rally tonight aims to demonstrate Malaysians' ...