UMS Replies PTMA Rector Forum’s ‘Bela Palestina, Kutuk Israel’ by Stage of Action

(Source : Syahan Rafiqul Islam / English Education’22)

Sukoharjo, LPM Campus – On Tuesday (5/7), in order to answer the invitation of Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Higher Education (PTMA) Rector Forum and acknowledge the suffering of the Palestinians, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) participated in the defense action of Palestine which was held simultaneously by the entire academicians from all faculties. The Rector of UMS, Prof. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si said that not only Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, but 172 Muhammadiyah universities participated in this action. Gathering at Siti Walidah Building, the rally drew a lot of sympathy and concern listening to speeches about the suffering experienced by the Palestinians to this day.

“As a form of concern, solidarity, and empathy that even becomes a duty or obligation when seeing an injustice and human torture that should be helped not only based on religion, but the principle of humanity itself,” said Sofyan Anif. He also said that the actions to defend Palestine had been carried out before, but only by a few communities until finally Muhammadiyah gathered these communities and initiated the national Palestine Defense Movement simultaneously. UMS did not only take action, but also collected donations through the professors’ forum according to Prof. Dr. Anam Sutopo, M.Hum. Therefore, donations can also be collected from all universities in Muhammadiyah.

Uswatun Khasanah who is the Central Mentoring Coordinator said, “This movement is actually a movement of the heart, I have been waiting for this event for a long time and just now UMS is holding it,” she said. She was even more moved to take part in this kind of action considering that the Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) had held actions in defense of Palestine before.

Head of Student Affairs Bureau, Ir. Ahmad Kholid Al Ghofari, S.T., M.T. we’re seen on the stage. He emphasized that our alignment in voicing justice is in accordance with the Preamble of Indonesian Law so that it becomes the basis for us as Indonesian citizens to help every country in the world. However, the United Nations is currently classified as not daring to be firm in punishing all elements of Israel state regarding the humanitarian issue itself. Not to mention the existence of developed countries that still support Israeli atrocities, such as America, Britain, France, and others. They do not even accept if their funds are used for the genocide of the Palestinians.

(Source : Syahan Rafiqul Islam / English Education’22)

Since October 7th, 2023, military aggression has been carried out by Israel in several days and the atrocities are still continuing. “We hope that all forms of military aggression from Israel can be stopped immediately and the Palestinian people can start a new life and make peace with the existing conditions,” said Kholid.

Teguh, a member of the Muhammadiyah Student Association who also participated in this defense action of Palestine said that his participation showed clarity in his alignment and also as a form of solidarity for his brothers and sisters in Palestine, moreover all of this is not only a matter of faith, but mainly a matter of humanity. Keeping Palestinian news on social media is an important thing that must be done, he said.

There are many things that can be done to raise awareness about the genocide in Palestine, one of the most important is the history of Palestine itself. News coverage, donations, and concrete actions such as the movement to defend Palestine show that the people do feel very concerned about what is happening to their brothers and sisters in Palestine.

The title, translated in English “Defend Palestine, Condemn Israel” seems inappropriate to show the statement of academics who are Higher Education lecturers. This name is good for a peaceful action, but “condemn” does not seem to be the right name to declare an action in a university forum. It seems better to use the word “urge” rather than “condemn” which is more ethical for Higher Education lecturers.

Participants hoped that this action and various activities that directly or indirectly support the Palestinian people can mobilize a lot of prayers and assistance to reduce at least a little of the burden they have felt all this time.

Reporters : Anita Insani (Islamic Education’22), Muhammad Aryawan Izzudin (Management’23) , Ihsan Cahya Kusuma Sinuraya (International Civil Enginnering’21), Kania Permanasari (Accounting’21), Ramiro Rafa Rajendra (Communication Studies’23), Rizaldy Mujiburrahman (Economic Development’ 22), Muhammad Ibnu Sina Alfatih (Industrial Engineering’22), Syahan Rafiqul Islam (English Education’22), Permai, Naufal Ahmad Alfian (Communication Studies’22), Dita Amelia Kusuma Wardani (Accounting’22)

Writer : Nada Utari Rusmanda (Dentistry’21)

Editor : Kenya Nurrin Khasanah (Civil Engineering’ 21)