Mehdi Hasan Marks Zeteo’s First Anniversary with a Powerful Message on Gaza, Media, and Hope

At a packed hall in Toronto’s Meridian Arts Centre, renowned journalist and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan celebrated the first anniversary of his independent media company, Zeteo, with a strong message: “They want to silence us. But if we stop talking about Gaza, they will win. And I can’t let them win.” 

Hasan emphasized that he launched Zeteo to restore credibility to journalism and to address the silence surrounding global injustices, particularly the ongoing oppression in Gaza. 

The event featured a distinguished panel, including Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein and Dr. Yasser Khan, the founder of the non-profit GIVE. Dr. Khan shared his experiences from his recent volunteer work at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, recounting the emotional toll of trying to offer hope to patients amid relentless violence. 

The audience, which included doctors, authors, researchers, and pro-Palestinian advocates, participated in two open Q&A sessions, expressing concerns about Israel’s actions and seeking ways to support those affected. 

The panel also discussed the global political climate, warning about the rise of fascism in the U.S. and its growing influence in Canada and the U.K. During the discussion, Sabah Ahmed, a reporter for Muslim Network TV and GTA Muslims Today, asked whether efforts to support Gaza were faltering. Dr. Khan responded, “Hope is the answer. The people of Gaza have not lost hope—and neither should we.”