President Prabowo Chants ‘Free Palestine’ at Gontor’s 100th Anniversary Reception

Jakarta, MINA – The atmosphere at the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Reception of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) in Ponorogo Regency, East Java, turned lively when President Prabowo Subianto called for support for Palestine on Saturday.

The moment occurred when the President delivered his remarks at the Pondok Modern Meeting Hall (BPPM) and greeted several ambassadors from friendly countries attending the event. When he greeted the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdalfatah A.K. Alsattari, applause from students, alumni, and invited guests echoed through the room.

The President then chanted, “Free Palestine! Free Palestine! Free Palestine!” which was immediately met with enthusiasm by the attendees. The Palestinian Ambassador then approached President Prabowo and draped a keffiyeh, a distinctively patterned cloth that is one of the symbols of Palestinian identity, around the neck of the Head of State. The President accepted the keffiyeh and the two then embraced. After that, the President continued his remarks with the keffiyeh still draped over his shoulder.

In his speech, President Prabowo also touched on the condition of the Palestinian people, who continue to face various sufferings due to conflict and attacks. “I just remembered, our brothers and sisters in Palestine, they are massacred, they are bombed, they are attacked continuously, and we seem to be powerless to help them,” the President said.

Read Also: Indonesia Bans Israel Houghton Concert Over Palestine Stance

According to him, concern for Palestine should be a driving force for the Indonesian nation to strengthen its national capacity and independence. The President invited kiais, ulama, educators, and the younger generation, especially the extended Gontor family, to make education an important part of building a strong nation.

“I think this is precisely what drives us all, especially you, especially the kiais, especially the ulama, especially the educators in institutions like Gontor. I think this must encourage and trigger a will,” he said.

“The will to study seriously. The will to build a strong Indonesian nation, because a nation that is not strong will be trampled by other nations,” he continued.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

Read Also: Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau Erupts Twice, Volcanic Ash Moves Northwest