Joint Prayer and Humanitarian Reflection: Civil Society Urges Indonesia to Withdraw from the Board of Peace

Indonesia has suspended discussions on the Board of Peace. The conflict in the Middle East and the dynamics of Indonesia’s crucial foreign policy have prompted deep concern from various segments of society. In response, leaders, activists and civil society actors from diverse backgrounds held the event “Doa Bersama dan Refleksi Kemanusiaan” at the Aula Dr. K.H. Jalaluddin Rakhmat, Bandung, on Saturday (7/3).

The event, under the theme Keeping Reason and Constitutional Norms amid Global Turmoil, was organised to pay homage to the martyrs of the humanitarian tragedy. The primary focus was on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the thousands of civilians who have fallen victim to military attacks driven by geopolitical ambitions.

Wakil Ketua Ikatan Jamaah Ahlulbait Indonesia (IJABI), Ustadz Syamsuddin Baharuddin, described the current crisis as a purely humanitarian tragedy. “This is a humanitarian tragedy occurring in Iran, not a tragedy on religious or sectarian grounds,” he said.

According to Syamsuddin, the forum aims to awaken the conscience of the wider public to view the tragedy affecting other nations as a shared humanitarian tragedy that must be addressed. In addition to the prayer, civil society actors sharply criticised the government’s foreign policy direction, particularly Indonesia’s position on the international stage. There is strong pressure for the government to take concrete and bold steps. The RI government is urged to withdraw from membership of the Board of Peace.

“Involvement in that body is seen as a form of compromise of the nation’s sovereignty. Joining the Board of Peace is involvement that contradicts our constitution because it is the same as joining with occupiers who are carrying out humanitarian aggression in Iran,” he asserted.

VIOLATING ARTICLE 45 OF THE CONSTITUTION

The policy, he continued, is regarded as violating the mandate of the 1945 Constitution which obliges Indonesia to uphold the effort to resist colonial domination. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) is urged to restore Indonesia’s diplomatic prestige to a stance of free active, non-aligned and justice-oriented diplomacy.

Through this forum, the call is made for the international community to apply political pressure on the United States and Israel to stop provocation and military aggression.

“This is deemed urgent to prevent the outbreak of World War III with catastrophic consequences for universal humanity. The Indonesian government is also urged to lead the consolidation of non-aligned states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in delivering humanitarian aid following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” he explained.

OVERCOMING SECTARIAN BARRIERS

This humanitarian effort will not stop at the discussion rooms. Syamsuddin stated that the civil movement will continue with tangible actions involving the grassroots. On Friday (13/3) next, the movement will distribute tens of thousands of Al Quds Bulletins simultaneously. The bulletins will be distributed by the organisers to mosques across Indonesia.

“Distributing these bulletins is a mobilization to call for Palestine’s liberation so that the issue is not forgotten by the people. This momentum is also used to remove sectarian barriers such as Sunni and Shia in order to prioritise religious unity, humanity, and national spirit,” he added.

This event is the result of collaboration among several organisations, including IJABI, Nurcholish Madjid Society (NCMS), Ma’arif Institute, Majlis Ukhuwah Sunni Shia Indonesia (MUHSIN), Kajian Kang Jalal (KKJ), Komunitas Islam Madani, and MADDAH.

Eighteen跨-faith figures and experts from various institutions participated to offer national reflections. Among them were Usman Hamid (Amnesty International), KH Zuhairi Misrawi (Indonesia’s Ambassador to Tunisia), Dina Yulianti Sulaeman (Middle East Politics Expert, Unpad), Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah (AMAN Indonesia) and Mukhaer Pakkanna (PP Muhammadiyah). (E-2)

Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) again organised the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy (CIFP) 2024.

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