MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — 172 Muhammadiyah universities across Indonesia are set to participate in the “Aksi Bela Palestina” (Palestine Solidarity Rally) on Tuesday (May 7) simultaneously at 10.00 AM (Western Indonesia Time/UTC+7), 11.00 AM (Central Indonesia Time/UTC+8), or 12.00 PM (Eastern Indonesia Time/UTC+9).
Ma’mun Murod Al-Barbasy, Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Higher Education Institution Rectors Forum, emphasized that this action is part of a universal humanitarian response to Israel’s cruel actions against Palestine.
“This is as a universal humanitarian response to what Israel has done barbarically to Palestine,” Ma’mun stated on Monday (May 6), who also serves as the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta.
Furthermore, this action is also an expression of concern about the lack of response from Indonesian universities to the war crimes committed by Israel against Palestine. According to Ma’mun, a stance of solidarity has been demonstrated by universities worldwide, indicating that the international academic community has spoken out against the atrocities taking place in Palestine.
“There will be an official statement from the rector forum and will be read out by the rectors throughout Indonesia,” he explained. In addition to statements of position, several lecturers and students will also deliver orations to reiterate their solidarity and concern for the situation in Palestine.
“To amplify their message, a unified statement of position will be drafted by the rector forum. This official statement will be read simultaneously by rectors across all 172 Muhammadiyah universities in Indonesia,” said Ma’mun. In addition, several lecturers and students will deliver speeches to further emphasize their solidarity and concern for the situation in Palestine.
This large-scale solidarity action aims to achieve two key objectives. First, it seeks to amplify international support for the Palestinian people. Second, it strives to raise awareness about the importance of peace and justice, both within Indonesia and on a global scale. By uniting all 172 Muhammadiyah universities, the initiative hopes to spread a powerful message of humanity. This message, in turn, has the potential to inspire further action in defense of human rights and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.