Thousands of Muslims rally in support of Palestine
07-05-2006
JAKARTA (Agencies): Thousands of Indonesian Muslims rallied in support of the Hamas-led Palestinian government Sunday, demanding an end to the West's economic boycott of the regime.
Supporters of the conservative Justice Prosperous Party (PKS), including many families with children, waved Palestinian flags and banners and collected donations in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
"We call on all Indonesians ... to put aside your money, one man one dollar, for our Palestinian brothers and sisters, who suffer from economic boycott by powerful countries," PKS chairman Tifatul Sembiring was quoted by Antara as saying.
He was speaking to protesters, who were gathering in front of the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta on Sunday.
The West has frozen hundreds of millions of dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian Authority since the Hamas government took office in late March, demanding that Hamas recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past peace agreements.
"The United States calls for democracy, but when Hamas won the election, they did not accept it," Adnan Sanusi, 27, one of the protesters, as he marched with his wife and 4-year-old daughterin downtown Jakarta.
"It is the double standard of the United States we are against," he was quoted by AP as saying.
Money was collected to pay for clothing and food for Palestinians affected by the boycott. Smaller pro-Palestinian rallies were held in major towns and cities across the country.
Indonesia, which has the world's largest population of Muslims, has long supported Palestinian independence efforts. It said last month it was considering opening a diplomatic mission in the West Bank town of Ramallah. (**)
Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He always) maintains His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Almighty, the All-Wise.
(Imran: 18)
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks