MUI forms 'crisis centre' to oversee the release of nine Indonesian citizens kidnapped by Israel

Jakarta — The Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) has formed a crisis centre to oversee efforts to secure the release of humanitarian activists, including nine Indonesian nationals who were kidnapped by Israel during a humanitarian mission to Gaza. This was stated by MUI’s Head of the Ukhuwah sector, Muhammad Zaitun Rasmin, at a press conference following a consolidation with Islamic organisations and philanthropic bodies at the MUI Central Office in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 21 May. ‘MUI has conveyed a request to President Prabowo and formed a crisis centre to accommodate input, for example from the families of the victims. MUI will receive that input to strengthen and provide full support,’ he said. The General Chairman of Wahdah Islamiyah will also coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and open the possibility of meeting President Prabowo Subianto in person if the release process does not materialise promptly. ‘MUI will request a meeting with Mr President Prabowo Subianto if this issue does not come to a close, if the hostages are not released in the near future,’ he continued. Rasmin also urged all segments of society to join in voicing support for the release of the humanitarian activists. Likewise, MUI’s Deputy Secretary-General Erick Yusuf said he had prepared official letters to national and international bodies to bolster diplomatic and humanitarian advocacy. ‘We have also prepared official letters, not only to national leaders but also to international bodies, so the international organisations involved. So as previously stated, eight countries wish to work shoulder to shoulder; we want to work together,’ he said. He added that the main focus at present is the release of the humanitarian activists and ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach Gaza. He said MUI is also calling on Islamic organisations, philanthropic institutions, and various communities to join in guiding this humanitarian movement. ‘So all the institutions mentioned earlier, organisations, philanthropic bodies, communities, and others, let us join forces. If we can finish this within 24 or 48 hours, that is what we hope,’ Erick Yusuf stated.