MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, USA – A wave of support for peace in Palestine is reaching far beyond the Muslim community. People from various faiths and backgrounds around the world, including the United States, are raising their voices against the ongoing conflict.
Nana Firman, the Deputy Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Special Branch (PCIM) of the United States of America, highlighted the ongoing student activism on American campuses. Students from various universities are holding demonstrations to condemn the human rights abuses and genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinians.
These demonstrations mirror similar actions taking place across Indonesia by students from Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah higher education institutions (PTMA). However, a key difference exists between the two countries. In Indonesia, university leaders and rectors often support these demonstrations. In the US, some campus leaders have actually rejected them.
Despite this rejection from certain university officials, Nana reports a growing movement of support for Palestine within American academia. Lecturers and professors from several universities are showing solidarity with the student movement. They stand against the violence and advocate for an end to the Israeli occupation.
Nana further clarifies that US support for Israel, as enshrined in the constitution, does not necessarily reflect the views of the American people.
“A growing generation of students, known as Generation Z, is turning to social media for news and information, bypassing traditional media outlets that may have a pro-Israel bias,” said Nana on a TVMu program on Wednesday (May 15).
One of the key demands of the student demonstrations in the US is to stop the flow of funding to organizations that support Zionism. This includes targeting donors and investors on their campuses who are financially backing the Israeli occupation. The students argue that such funding ultimately benefits Zionist Israeli groups that perpetuate violence against the Palestinian people.
Another noteworthy development is the growing participation of international students in these demonstrations. Previously, international students risked visa revocation if they participated in political protests. However, with the support of lawyers willing to offer legal aid, international students are now joining the movement.
The demonstrations are a powerful display of unity. Students from all backgrounds, including Muslims, people of other faiths, and even those who identify as non-religious, are coming together in solidarity with Palestine. Notably, even some Jewish student communities are lending their voices to the call for peace and an end to the genocide committed by Israeli Zionists against Palestinians.
