Escalation in the Gulf: Prabowo seeks ulama's support on Indonesia's position

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has asked for the support of Islamic scholars regarding Indonesia’s stance amid escalations taking place in Gulf states and the Middle East, especially after unilateral military attacks by the United States and Zionist Israel against Iran.

In a meeting with scholars on the central lawn of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Thursday night (5 March), President Prabowo stressed that his policies are entirely aimed at the unity and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

‘This meeting is intended for mutual understanding and listening to developments in geopolitical and geo-economic information that have occurred recently. In the meeting, the President said that what he has done is for the unity of the Republic of Indonesia, for the unity of the country, and for the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia,’ said Ahmad Muzani, the chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), explaining the contents of the meeting with the ulama in a press briefing after the meeting at the Palace, Thursday night (5 March).

Muzani added that the ulama understood the President’s explanation.

‘The ulama, the kiai, understood this as a measure taken by the President on the right path, the correct path, because we are all asked to continue to provide support, to pray that what the President of the Republic of Indonesia does will proceed well and smoothly,’ Muzani said.

‘The President also continues to keep himself open to receiving input and views from various quarters, including from the ulama and kiai. Therefore, I believe this meeting is hoped to be held periodically in the coming weeks or months,’ he added.

In the same press conference, Presidential Special Adviser for Hajj Muhadjir Effendy, who is also a senior figure in Muhammadiyah, explained that in the meeting with the ulama, President Prabowo also explained Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace (BoP) Gaza.

’So, he emphasised that his involvement in the BoP was not automatic, but had gone through a long process, had been discussed with several leaders of countries in the region, especially the Gulf, who then agreed to join. The strategy he chose is what is called