Minister Of Culture Of The Republic Of Indonesia: Culture Is A Peace Bridge Amid The Palestinian Tragedy

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon has returned to the emergence of Indonesia's support for Palestine. (IST)

JAKARTA - In commemoration of the 77th anniversary of Nakba, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia emphasized the importance of culture as a soft power to realize peace, in the midst of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

The event, titled The Palestine Belongs to Palestinians and We Will Never Leave, was held by the Palestinian Embassy to Indonesia at the Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday night. The 77th Nakba Day commemoration became a reflection of the tragedy that began on May 15, 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homeland.

Indonesian Solidarity For Palestine

The event was attended by about 200 invited guests, including the Indonesian Minister of Culture, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta, Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI M. Hidayat Nur Wahid, Chairman of BAZNAS Noor Achmad, Palestinian Ambassador Zuhair Al-Shun, ambassadors of friendly countries, and Palestinian diaspora living in Indonesia.

The event opened with a documentary film about Gaza before and after colonialism, followed by a monologue performance by Asma Nadia which tells the story of Fathiya about Palestinian girls who have lost their homes and families due to military aggression.

Cultural Genocide And Call For Peace

In his remarks, the Indonesian Minister of Culture emphasized that Nakba was not just a past tragedy, but a humanitarian crisis that has continued to this day. He mentioned that since October 7, 2023, military aggression in Gaza has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians and destroyed various important cultural sites.

"UNESCO recorded damage to 102 cultural sites until April 2025. This includes 69 historical buildings, 13 religious sites, and 7 archaeological sites. This is a form of cultural genocide that is often overlooked," he said.

The Minister of Culture emphasized the importance of cultural roles in international diplomacy. Through multilateral cooperation, including in forums such as UNESCO, Indonesia continues to encourage the cessation of violence and protection against Palestinian cultural heritage.

Cultivation must be a bridge of peace, not a victim of conflict. We call for justice, equality, and eternal peace for the Palestinian people," he concluded.

Firm Support From Indonesia

The Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Dr. Zuhair SM Al-Shun, expressed his gratitude for Indonesia's strong support so far. He described the Nakba commemoration not as a celebration, but a moment of mourning for the loss of the homeland and continued suffering.

"Gaza has melted. But we believe Indonesia will continue to be by the Palestinian side to achieve complete independence," said Zuhair.

The event closed with the reading of a poem entitled 'Palestinian, How Can I Forget You' by Taufiq Ismail, performed by Ricky Kurniawan. The atmosphere of emotion enveloped the room when poetry voiced the hearts of the Palestinian people who were disturbed, but did not lose hope.