Interfaith Volunteers In Riau Islands Hold Palestinian Defense Actions, Contributing IDR 175 Million

NATUNA - Hundreds of cross-religious volunteers and a number of organizations held various Palestinian defense peaceful actions in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands, Sunday, December 3. Solidarity Action Field Coordinator Bela Palestina Rahayu Christinawati in Natuna, said that the peaceful demonstrations carried out included long marches, joint remembrance, fundraising, poetry reading and oration in the form of statements. "This action is a form of moral and material support to Palestinians who are currently struggling for freedom," he said. He explained, at the long march the volunteers carried flags as well as various attributes of Palestine and Indonesia. "This is a form of our concern for Palestinians," he said. He admitted, disappointed with Israel's actions against Palestinian civilians with violence. He hopes that attacks will be stopped immediately and encourage the international community to carry out investigations into the humanitarian crimes carried out by Israel. "We call on world countries, Arab countries to decide diplomatic relations to Israel until independent Palestine," he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) Natuna Wan Suhardi said the money collected from fundraising during the action was Rp. 25 million. The funds, he said, would be handed over to the Central Baznas to be distributed to Palestinians. Previously, Baznas Natuna had transferred to the Central Baznas amounting to Rp175 million.