2023-11-12 Joint Statement of The Indonesian Women Ulama Congress (KUPI) Network on The Worsening Crisis in Palestine

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and other areas due to the occupation and war leading to the genocide of the Palestinian people, the network of Indonesian Women Ulama Congress (KUPI) hereby state the following:

We urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, occupation, genocide, and all actions leading to the tragic loss of over 12,000 lives as of Tuesday, November 12, 2023. This includes the loss of homes, security, freedom, and the dignity of every human being, especially the vulnerable (dhuafa) or those rendered weak by circumstances (mustadh'afin) in any conflict-ridden area, particularly in Gaza.

We urge the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other international institutions to employ all available means to safeguard human rights and work towards a two-state solution, for the sake of genuine and just peace. We call upon the UN to deploy peacekeeping forces to Gaza to ensure the protection of civilians, including women and children, safeguard public facilities such as hospitals and schools from bombings and destruction, and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid by lifting the blockade and total siege imposed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

We demand that nations worldwide refrain from perpetuating the conflict through any actions or statements supporting Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

We extend our support to the Indonesian Government, which has consistently and persistently pursued diplomatic and humanitarian measures to halt the conflict, supporting the struggle for Palestinian self-determination, demonstrating solidarity, and coordinating humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

We urge influential religious figures from diverse faiths to come together across the religions and to continuously convey, especially to the political and military leaders, the universal message of peace, humanity, mercy, and compassion from within their respective religions so that religious teachings are not used to legitimize genocide, murder, expulsion, violence, cruelty, and other inhumane actions against any party.

We call upon the global civil society, including women and women ulama, to contribute individually or collaboratively towards peace and ending the occupation and genocide against the Palestinian people.

We encourage people of all religions to fervently pray that the Almighty God touches the conscience of leaders and brings forth the power of the universe to end the war and pave the way for a peace that is just, civilized, and dignified for every human being, nation, and country.

We urge all Indonesians and global citizens to tirelessly aid the victims of war, taking into consideration specific needs, such as those of women, children, the elderly, people with disability, and other vulnerable groups.

We appeal to Muslims worldwide to steadfastly engage in sincere, devout, and hopeful spiritual endeavours (raja') to Allah, including prayers, qunut nazilah, istighotsah, salat al-ghaib, and others, with the aim of securing peace and freedom for Palestine.

We support women ulama in taking action towards ending the war and realizing peace and freedom for Palestine in their respective fields of service through cultural, social, or spiritual endeavours.

Jakarta, November 12, 2023.

The Indonesian Women Ulama Congress (KUPI)