EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — The Muhammadiyah Central board received a delegation from Umana Al-Aqsa to discuss potential collaboration in supporting Palestine, particularly in education, dakwah, healthcare, and the reconstruction of public facilities in Gaza.
The Umana Al-Aqsa delegation, consisting of Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Hajj and Eymen Yildrim, was received by Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairperson Syafiq A. Mughni and Imam Addaruqutni, Chairperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperations.
During the meeting, Mohammed explained that Umana Al-Aqsa is an international institution based in Istanbul, Türkiye. The organization works to strengthen the role of preachers and graduates of sharia faculties from various countries in raising awareness and support for Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mohammed said the visit was also intended to express appreciation for Muhammadiyah and other elements of Indonesia’s Muslim community for their continued support for the Palestinian people.
“We came to Muhammadiyah to express our appreciation for all the contributions made by Muhammadiyah and other elements of the Muslim community in Indonesia in supporting Palestine and Gaza,” Mohammed said.
Supporting Gaza’s Recovery and Reconstruction
Mohammed said he hoped the meeting would open opportunities for collaboration on empowerment and reconstruction programs in Gaza, particularly in healthcare, education, dakwah, and the rebuilding of public facilities damaged by the war.
“Of course, the Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, need both moral and material support to rebuild and reconstruct public facilities, hospitals, educational institutions, and other essential infrastructure,” he said.
Mohammed expressed confidence that Indonesia and other Muslim-majority countries could play an important role in accelerating Gaza’s reconstruction, including efforts to revive its education and dakwah sectors.
“We believe that Indonesia and other Islamic countries can help and encourage the acceleration of reconstruction in the fields of dakwah and education in Gaza,” he said.
He also invited the Muhammadiyah Central Board to attend the 4th Umana Al-Aqsa Conference, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on January 9–10, 2027.
Expanding Knowledge and Awareness of Al-Aqsa
Responding to the meeting, Syafiq said Umana Al-Aqsa has shown strong concern for strengthening Muslims’ understanding of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He said the organization had developed several programs, including support for rebuilding mosques and prayer halls needed by communities following the destruction of many places of worship in Gaza during the war.
Beyond humanitarian programs, Umana Al-Aqsa has also focused on developing studies and literature on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“He has conducted studies on Al-Aqsa and produced several publications about Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Syafiq said.
According to Syafiq, these efforts will improve the understanding of preachers, khatibs, and Islamic speakers in various countries about the challenges facing Palestinians, including issues concerning Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Understanding Palestine, he said, should not rely solely on contemporary social and political developments. Preachers and Islamic speakers must also understand the normative foundations concerning Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Quran and Sunnah.
“He wants preachers and khatibs to be able not only to understand contemporary issues but also to understand the normative foundations in the Quran and Sunnah concerning Al-Aqsa,” Syafiq said.
Through such understanding, scholars and preachers must expand public knowledge about Al-Aqsa while strengthening support among Muslims for Palestinian independence.
Strengthening Global Commitment to Palestine
Syafiq added that Umana Al-Aqsa’s interest in collaborating with Muhammadiyah also extends to the field of education.
Meanwhile, the Umana Al-Aqsa Conference in Istanbul is expected to provide a platform for strengthening the commitment of scholars, khatibs, and preachers from various countries to the Palestinian cause and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The goal is to strengthen the commitment of scholars, khatibs, and preachers to spread knowledge about Al-Aqsa, both from the perspective of its social and political issues and from the normative perspective of the Quran and Sunnah,” Syafiq said.
Syafiq said Muhammadiyah welcomed the initiative and would support efforts aimed at strengthening Muslims’ concern for Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“God willing, we will attend the conference. We must offer our support because this effort and struggle are good and greatly needed by Muslims today,” he concluded. (taufik)
