Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa Directorate General supports the Palestine Solidarity Week initiated on November 22-29, 2021 organized by the Aqsa Working Group (AWG).

The Middle East Director of the Directorate General of Asia Pacific and Africa, Bagus Hendraning Kobarsyih, stated that any effort to support Palestine in fighting for their rights and independence is in the interest of Indonesia and all stakeholders in the international arena.

This statement was made by the Middle East Director when receiving the AWG delegation led by Presidium Chairman M Anshorullah and the AWG’s Head for Partnership and Cooperation Division Rana Setiawan here on Friday (Nov. 12).

Bagus said that defending Palestinian independence has been Indonesia's promise since holding the Asian-African Conference in Bandung city, West Java province in 1955. Of the 29 countries present at the conference, only Palestine has not been independent up to now, making the issue as Indonesia’s international agenda from the beginning until now.

Meanwhile, Anshorullah stated, the AWG would always organize programs that aim to provide education about the importance of Muslims defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people, while calling on the world community to continue to fight for Palestine's independence from Israeli occupation.

During the 2021 Palestine Solidarity Week, he added, the AWG, which has 13 bureaus throughout Indonesia, including the special bureau in Gaza, Palestine, would hold several events. One of them is a workshop by inviting pro-Palestinian figures and interfaith non-governmental organizations.

The AWG was formed in order to accommodate and manage the efforts of the Muslims for the freedom of Al-Aqsa.

The AWG was formed based on the decision made by the Final Session of the Al-Aqsa International Conference in Jakarta on 20 Sha'ban 1429 Hijri which coincides with August 21, 2008.

The Al-Aqsa International Conference was participated in by embassies of a number of Muslim countries, as well as leaders and members of Islamic mass organizations, educational and Islamic educational institutions, Islamic propagation institutions, Islamic mass media and a number of individuals who pay attention to the liberation of Al-Aqsa.

Reporting by Indonesia Window