Barkah News

 Homemakers in Indonesia organise support for "family" by chanting "We cry for Palestine."

They are planting seeds for the future generation of Indonesians, organising against the war, and collecting money for Gaza.

By Llewellyn Aisyah

published on December 26, 2023

Indonesia's Medan, In the city of Medan, North Sumatra, on a foggy and dismal Sunday morning in December, over a thousand people congregated on the premises of the Istana Maimoon, a famous 19th-century palace.

Speakers in favour of the Palestinian cause were among the sea of people gathering outside the palace, most of them wearing the Palestinian flag's colours of red, green, black, and white.

Many in the throng had cloth bands wrapped around their foreheads with the words "Save Palestine" emblazoned on them, or headbands with the Indonesian and Palestinian flags displayed on them that bobbed as they moved. There were men and women waving large and little Palestinian flags in the breeze, and participants had small flag stickers applied to their cheeks.

In family shots, moms pushed their infants in strollers and kids clutched their hands while they happily posed with flags or peace signs flashing. Participants would occasionally pump their fists in the air as pockets of the crowd burst into chants and slogans like "Israel are terrorists!" and "Free Palestine."

On October 7, when Hamas fighters assaulted southern Israel, Israel launched a war on Gaza that has claimed more than 20,000 lives. The crowds were present for a nonviolent protest in favour of Palestine, one of several demonstrations and rallies staged across the nation.

Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian leaders—representing the six recognised religions in Indonesia—were invited to the interfaith Medan rally.

Self-declared homemakers who have formed a campaign to gather supplies for Palestine were also present in significant numbers at the event. Among them was Normala Sari, 51, who declared that she would keep participating in protests until a permanent truce in Gaza was proclaimed. Sari had already attended four such demonstrations in North Sumatra.

She remarked, "We also consider the Palestinians to be family." We are depressed if they are. Our own fear is triggered by their fear.

There must be an end to colonialism.

History and demography link Indonesia to the Palestinian struggle, making it a significant cause. Analogous to Palestine, Indonesia is a heterogeneous country with a significant Muslim majority, comprising 87 percent of its 270 million inhabitants.

Declaring that "all colonialism must be abolished in this world," the 1945 Indonesian Constitution was created after the country gained its independence from the Dutch. This demand is frequently cited in support of Palestine.

Leaders of the Palestinian people were among the first to provide support during Indonesia's struggle for independence from the Dutch, and the people of Indonesia still remember this.

"Indonesia and Palestine are very close because of our strong emotional ties," Sari remarked. The world was informed that Palestine was free back in 1945. Indonesia was recognised as a free country for the first time by Palestine. That's how we're similar like brothers.”

Using the Arab League—a regional organisation made up of Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the Emirate of Transjordan, and Lebanon—grand mufti of Jerusalem and supreme leader of the Council of Palestine, Sheikh Muhammad Amin al-Husaini persuaded Arab nations to acknowledge Indonesia as an independent nation in 1945.

The nation was visited in 1984, 1992, 1993, and 2000 by Yasser Arafat, the head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation at the time, and in 2007 and 2010 and 2014 by Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, for the first time as a state guest.

Indonesia, for its part, has never recognised official diplomatic relations with Israel and has continuously supported Palestine over the years. An embassy for Palestine was established in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, two years after the country's official recognition of Palestine in 1988.

"We don’t support it when the Israelis take away the land of Palestinians, because everyone has the right to independence," Sari declared. The Israeli forces are not abiding by the laws of war, and innocent children are being slaughtered, so we hope that a ceasefire will be reached.

the movement of homemakers

Calls for a boycott of companies thought to be associated with Israel, such as Starbucks and McDonald's, have been made as part of the nationwide pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

While speaking to Al Jazeera during the Medan event, Sari said that housewives took personal initiative and saw their support for Palestine as an extension of their roles as wives and mothers.

A vital component of fundraising initiatives, they are as well.

Sari claimed that she had recently attended a pro-Palestine protest in Sumatra where homemakers had removed their gold jewellery and given it to the rally organisers in place of cash. The rally was organised to generate money to send help to Palestine.

 On that day, we were able to raise 2 billion Indonesian Rupiah, or $128,000. The week prior to the rally, a housewife who had recently received a new gold bracelet from her spouse removed it right away, she added.

All of these mothers, in my opinion, would go to Palestine without a second thought and lend a hand if given the opportunity. What is occurring there, particularly to the children, has been shown to us all on television.

Similar to Sari's views, several housewives at the demonstration told Al Jazeera that they were ready to go to Palestine and defend themselves from Israeli soldiers if necessary. Alternatively, they offered assistance in various forms, like preparation and relief work.

"North Sumatra is deeply in love with Palestine and we are appalled by the actions of the Zionists," Sari declared. We weep for Palestine.

A household affair

In North Sumatra, children are not just common among housewives at pro-Palestinian marches; these events have evolved into family gatherings, according to Sari.

Al Jazeera spoke with other women at the march who said they saw these nonviolent protests as crucial chances to teach their kids about the Palestinian cause and universal values like human rights and empathy.The demonstrations Sari attends act as classes for her 15-year-old son, who has learning problems. It is very important to her that he comprehends the problems in Palestine and learns to stand by his fellow Muslims both at home and abroad, so she stated she always takes him along to rallies.

Despite having special needs, Sari's son goes to every rally with her. "I want him to learn what love is all about."

Source AlJazeera