REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has called on all elements of interfaith communities and groups to participate in the Palestinian Defense Action demonstration to be centered at the National Monument, Jakarta, on Sunday.
"We invite all Muslims to join, as they are the most responsible. We also invite other people," MUI chairman Kiai Ma'ruf Amin stated at a joint meeting between MUI and mass organizations at the Central MUI Building in Jakarta on Thursday to prepare for a demonstration.
He noted that Indonesians should support the Palestinian independence, as Palestine is the only member of the Asian-African Conference that has yet to gain independence.
At the same location, Abdullah Gymnastiar, a proselytizer, invited all elements of society that will be present at the demonstration to continue supporting the struggle in accordance with God's will. There should be no political and class interests except to liberate Palestine from the shackles of colonialism.
The issue of independence has again surfaced, as US President Donald Trump unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Trump's action has triggered strong reactions among several people across the world, as the issue of Jerusalem is a sensitive matter, especially since the US' recognition was considered to be illegal. It was viewed that the US' decision was taken without following the appropriate procedure, as it went against the recommendations of the UN.
Gymnastiar also invited participants of the Palestinian Defense Action to always uphold good morals in spite of the protesters exhibiting anger against the US and Israel that are against the Palestinians.
Gymnastiar, who is the leader of the Daarut Tauhid Islamic Boarding School, also called on the protesters to always maintain order and cleanliness by not littering garbage around the demonstration site.
"Although we are angry, but commendable morals are our weapon. We exhibit the best morals, so that anger does not trigger rudeness," he added.