Khofifah and Palestinian figures discuss strengthening cooperation
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Governor of East Java, Khoflarifah Indar Parawansa, alongside three Palestinian figures, discussed the strengthening of cooperation and brotherhood during a meeting at the Al-Akbar National Mosque in Surabaya on Sunday.
The three Palestinian figures in attendance were the Special Envoy and Advisor to the President of Palestine on Religious and Islamic Affairs, Mahmoud Sedqi Abdalrahman Alhabbash; the Grand Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammed Hussein; and the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdalfatah Ahmed Khalil Al-Sattari.
“For East Java, Palestine is not something far away. There is an emotional, religious, and humanitarian closeness that has grown strong among our people. The presence of Palestinian figures in East Java serves as a momentum to continue nurturing and strengthening that brotherhood,” said Khofifah.
“From East Java, we want to continue building spaces of brotherhood that carry messages of peace and humanity. Hopefully, from this meeting, more goodness will emerge for the people of Indonesia and Palestine,” Khofifah added.
She noted that the presence of the Grand Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammed Hussein, was a special moment because the mosque holds a significant position for Muslims and serves as a symbol connecting the Muslim community across various parts of the world.
Khofifah also offered prayers for the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza, and expressed hope that the meeting could be followed up with more productive communication.
“Thank you for your visit to East Java. Hopefully, future meetings can be even more productive. May the people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza, be granted health, strength, and patience by Allah, and continue to rise to lead lives of dignity,” said Khofifah.
Khofifah pledged that, alongside the people of East Java, she would continue to support and pray for peace and well-being for Palestine.
Meanwhile, the Special Envoy and Advisor to the President of Palestine on Religious and Islamic Affairs, Mahmoud Sedqi Abdalrahman Alhabbash, expressed his appreciation for the welcome provided by Khofifah and the East Java Provincial Government officials.
“Today we feel very honoured, primarily because of the Governor of East Java’s welcome for our visit. Alhamdulillah, we have discussed the friendship between the Indonesian and Palestinian people, and we have also explained the current situation in Palestine, and the suffering of the Palestinian people under occupation,” he said.
Alhabbash emphasised that the Palestinian people will continue to defend the existence of Palestine and persist in their struggle for their homeland.
“We assure the Governor and those present in this meeting that we will maintain Palestine. We will not leave Palestine, and we continue to fight for Palestine to remain. We have been there for thousands of years, so we continue to fight for that,” he stated.
According to Alhabbash, the meeting also discussed opportunities for cooperation and the realisation of various programmes that could support the struggle and interests of the Palestinian people.
He expressed hope that the discussions with the Governor of East Java could be followed up through more concrete cooperation, ensuring that the relationship established is not merely between leaders, but becomes increasingly strong between the people of Indonesia and Palestine.