Indonesian Support for Palestine Has Century-Long Roots, Says Ulema Council

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has emphasized that the nation's support for the Palestinian cause is not a recent development but a commitment that has endured for approximately a century. This enduring solidarity, according to MUI, is deeply embedded in the long history of Indonesian-Palestinian relations. Bunyan Saptomo, Chairman of MUI's Commission for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, conveyed this message on behalf of Prof. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim at the opening of the Global Coalition for Al-Quds & Palestine (GCQP) in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 17, 2026. Saptomo noted that historical records indicate a strong emotional connection and solidarity between Indonesia and Palestine tracing back to the 1920s. During that era, Indonesian students in Egypt were actively involved in global Islamic independence movements, advocating for the freedom of both Indonesia and Palestine. Prof. Abdul Kahar Muzakir is cited as a key figure who participated in the World Islamic Conference in Jerusalem in 1931 while studying in Egypt. Furthermore, Saptomo mentioned that several young Indonesians lost their lives as martyrs fighting alongside Palestinians against British occupation in the 1930s. He suggested that this historical cooperation was a significant factor in why Palestinian and Arab leaders supported Indonesia's independence following its proclamation on August 17, 1945. The forum in Istanbul was attended by around 300 participants from 30 countries. The Indonesian delegation included representatives from philanthropic organizations such as Rumah Zakat, Qudwah, Adara, and Smart 171, alongside the Asia Pacific Coalition for Al-Quds & Palestine (APCQP).

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The support of the Indonesian nation for the struggle of the Palestinian nation has been ongoing for 100 years or a century.