Halal Bihalal Event, MUI Reminds People Not to Forget Palestine

Kapanlagi.com - Recently, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) held a national halal bihalal event in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/5). This halal bihalal event was held in the spirit of Idul Fitri 2024. According to the Deputy Secretary General of MUI, Arif Fahrudin, the event is not just a routine annual gathering but an important moment for all elements of the nation to strengthen the solidarity of the Muslim community.

According to Arif, MUI places special attention on the solidarity of the Muslim community as it is a key element and an inseparable part of Indonesia's development and progress. "Solidarity is the main capital for solving many problems faced by the Muslim community," he said when interviewed by reporters before the event.

"MUI wants to maintain ties and strengthen unity with various working partners and components of the nation, as well as enhance synergy and integration of various potentials for the common welfare and progress." At the same time, humanitarian aid for Palestine was also handed over by the Indonesian people through Baznas, amounting to Rp9.3 billion.

1. Support for the Struggle of Palestine

Arif reminded that last November, MUI issued Fatwa Number 83 of 2023 regarding "The Law of Support for the Struggle of Palestine". In the fatwa, MUI recommends Muslims to avoid transactions and use of products affiliated with Israel and those that support colonization and Zionism as much as possible.

MUI did not release a list of pro-Israel products that need to be boycotted. However, the institution allows the public, including researchers and academics, to independently gather information to determine which products widely circulated in society are related to Israel.

A few months after the issuance of the fatwa, precisely before Ramadan 2024, MUI issued instructions (irshadat) for Muslims to abstain from anything produced and marketed by local and international companies affiliated with Israel.

2. Universal Humanitarian Message

In the same event, Arif also mentioned that MUI is echoing the universal humanitarian message that is now violated and a source of concern in the world as the conflict in Gaza, Palestine, by the Zionist regime of Israel continues.

"We want to remind the general public, regardless of their religion and beliefs, to not forget the suffering of the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, who have been the target of Israeli conflict for months," he said.

Arif added, "This should not be allowed to pass, especially since there has been a fatwa from MUI regarding the importance of supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people."

3. Attended by High-ranking Officials

The halal bihalal event of MUI 1445 H was held at Hotel Sahid Jaya and was attended by high-ranking officials, Vice President of Indonesia, K.H. Ma'ruf Amin, 6th Vice President Try Sutrisno, 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK).

Furthermore, there were also Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, and Governor of BI Perry Warjiyo, central leadership of MUI, representatives of MUI from all provinces, and Ambassadors of friendly countries.

Regarding the end of the political contestation in Indonesia in 2024, Arif also emphasized the importance for all of us to maintain unity, solidarity, and harmony above the past political contestation and competition, in order to achieve the welfare and prosperity of the nation.

As it is known, Israel's relentless attacks on Gaza and Palestine since October 2023 have triggered a conflict that has never been witnessed by the world. In addition to the total destruction of Gaza, more than 35,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, with over half of them being children and women.

This genocide has prompted South Africa and several countries around the world, including Indonesia, to seek to bring Israel and supporting countries to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Therefore, continue to support Palestine.

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(kly/tmi)