Thousands of people assembled at Indonesia’s National Monument on Sunday to demonstrate their solidarity with the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing israel’s genocide in Gaza.
This marked the largest public gathering in Indonesia since the start of the israeli aggression on Palestinian civilians in Gaza
Clad in white robes and adorned with black-and-white Palestinian scarves, the demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and fervently chanted slogans such as “God is Great” and “Free Palestine,” while urging Israeli forces to cease their deadly siege of Gaza.
As images of bombings in Gaza were projected on screens, Muslim leaders took to the stage at the National Monument (Monas) square to deliver speeches. Their demands included a boycott of Israeli products and an international investigation into Israel’s hostilities in Gaza.
“Israeli oppressors, fight, fight, fight,” and “Indonesia defends Palestine” echoed through the crowd as they voiced their support for the Palestinian cause.
This peaceful rally was organized by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the nation’s highest Islamic authority, and enjoyed support from the government, Muslim organizations, as well as members of other faiths, including Buddhism and Christianity.
Prominent figures, including Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, former Jakarta governor and presidential candidate Anies Baswedan, and House of Representatives Chair Puan Maharani, were among those in attendance.
Despite heavy rainfall the night before, many protesters made their way to the National Monument from various cities in Java, using buses and motorcycles. Some even spent the night at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, and offered their morning prayers before gathering at Monas at 7 am (Singapore time).
Sunday’s demonstration was the latest in a series of recent peaceful protests, with previous gatherings taking place at the United States Embassy and the United Nations mission, both within a short walking distance from Monas.
