Indonesia’s non-Muslim religious groups join rallies in support of Palestine: ‘matter of humanity’

Name: Indonesia evacuates 4 nationals from Gaza in first batch to cross border into Egypt
Uploaded: 2023-12-19T09:00:10.000Z
Duration: 3 min 5 s
Description: Indonesia evacuates 4 nationals from Gaza in first batch to cross border into Egypt

Apart from Muslims, Indonesians of other faiths are increasingly lending their voices to those demanding an end to the violence in Gaza

Support from non-Muslim Indonesians goes beyond individuals, and includes organisations that represent Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Confucians

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More than 1,000 people including the government, and religious figures from Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucian groups attended the Medan rally. Photo: Tonggo Simangunsong

Tonggo Simangunsong

Published: 5:00pm, 19 Dec 2023

Indonesia, the nation with the world’s largest Muslim population, has long been an ardent supporter of Palestine, with support growing more fervent during the Israel-Gaza war. But along with the country’s Muslim-majority, Indonesians of other faiths have been lending their voices to those demanding an end to the violence in Gaza.

More than 1,000 people attended a rally for Palestine held in the North Sumatran capital of Medan on December 10. There have been many such rallies in Indonesia recently, including one in Jakarta on November 5 attended by tens of thousands, and while Muslims typically account for most of the attendees, the number of non-Muslims in attendance has been significant and on the rise.

It is not just support from individuals. The local Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in Medan took part in the rally, which also saw religious organisations representing Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and Confucians in attendance.

Bonefasius Olda Bombang (middle, in red), a Catholic living in Lubuk Pakam, attending the rally in Medan on December 10. Photo: Tonggo Simangunsong

Medan rally attendee Bonefasius Olda Bombang, 37, a barber, said he suggested to his colleagues that they raise funds for Palestine through “charity barbershops”, after he heard about the rally.

“I immediately thought of doing something to contribute, because I thought it was for humanity,” said Bombang, who is Catholic.

His friends in the local barber community, most of whom are Muslim, welcomed his idea and extended fundraising to their customers, raising 5.9 million rupiah (US$380.50) that went to rally organisers the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

“This is a matter of humanity. If you look at it from a religious perspective, Christians should also join in calling for the freedom of Palestine, because there are also Christians there. I hope that the world will not be silent about the conditions in Palestine, and that the rest of the world will join in calling for peace,” Bombang said.

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Indonesia evacuates 4 nationals from Gaza in first batch to cross border into Egypt