President recalls Palestine during Gontor centennial celebration

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he was reminded of the situation facing the Palestinian people when he was presented with a keffiyeh by Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulfattah A.K. Al-Sattari.

The keffiyeh was presented to the President when he attended the reception marking the 100th anniversary of the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo, here on Saturday.

“I was reminded of our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” Prabowo said in his remarks, as quoted from a live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel in Jakarta.

While addressing ambassadors of friendly countries attending the event, the president gave special attention to the Palestinian ambassador. Prabowo shouted “Free Palestine” several times during his speech.

Al-Sattari then approached Prabowo and presented him with a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian headscarf. The two then embraced, and Prabowo wore the keffiyeh.

Prabowo said the Palestinian people continue to face attacks and what he described as distressing conditions.

“They are being massacred, bombed and attacked continuously,” he said.

He said the situation had made him think about Indonesia’s constraints in helping the Palestinian people. “And we seem to be powerless to help them,” the President said.

The president said the situation should encourage Islamic scholars, religious leaders, educators and the younger generation to study diligently and build a strong Indonesia.

“I think this should encourage all of us, especially the kiai, the ulama and educators at institutions like Gontor,” he said.

Prabowo said Indonesia’s strength was needed so that the country would have the capacity to help oppressed people.

“If we are strong, we can help our brothers and sisters who are oppressed and those who are oppressed by other nations,” Prabowo said.

On the occasion, the President also voiced support for Palestine before the event’s participants. “Free Palestine!” Prabowo shouted.