Muslimat NU to Write to UN Addressing War Impacts in the Middle East

General Chair of the Central Board of Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Khofifah Indar Parawansa, will send an official letter to the United Nations (UN) in response to the impacts of the war raging in the Middle East. Khofifah, who is also the Governor of East Java, stated that the conflict in the Middle East involving the US-Israel coalition and Iran until April 2026 continues to make the world anxious, particularly regarding the fate of children and women. “We from Muslimat NU will write to urge the UN to use its power to protect children and women from the impacts of that war,” Khofifah said on the sidelines of attending the 80th anniversary of Muslimat NU in Yogyakarta on Sunday, 12 April 2026. Khofifah explained that the impacts of the war, which has now entered its second month in April, are already too numerous, especially for child victims. According to Khofifah, the world through its international organisations must act to end the war soon and prevent further civilian casualties. Muslimat NU’s step to write to the UN, she said, is based on three fundamental foundations: religious values, the state constitution, and international commitments. The first basis is the principle of Maqashid Syariah, which emphasises the protection of life or al-muhafazah ’ala al-nafs. The second is the mandate of the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution to maintain world order, and the third is points in the Beijing Platform for Action that highlight the protection of women in armed conflicts. Khofifah detailed that there are several crucial points that will be conveyed to the UN Secretary-General as part of the voice of civil society. This letter will also be forwarded through the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection. However, the main demand is to encourage the UN to immediately use its power to stop the war and guarantee human rights. “Especially protection for women, children, and access to health and education in conflict areas,” she said. According to her, discourse on efforts to calm civilisation has actually been studied in depth over the past two years to respond to violence that still occurs at various levels, from household to global arenas. “We hope the UN Secretary-General, through his power, truly works and can stop the war and realise world peace.” She added that this movement urging the UN to act immediately aims to create a cool and peaceful atmosphere. This, she believes, aligns with the Ahlussunnah wal Jama’ah tradition that upholds values of moderation, tolerance, and justice, which have long been nurtured by millions of Muslimat NU members throughout Indonesia and the world.