Ciputat, FAH News Online – The Islamic History and Civilization Study Program (SPI Study Program) and the SPI Study Program Student Association (HMPS) Faculty of Adab and Humanities UIN Jakarta successfully held seminars and book reviews with the theme “Evoking Awareness of the History, Solidarity and Future of Palestine”. This event is a series of Palestinian Solidarity Month (BSP) activities resulting from cooperation between the SPI Study Program and the Aqsa Working Group (AWG) which aims to strengthen solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people. This year's BSP is the second time that the SPI and AWG study programs have been held on the FAH campus after successfully holding a BSP event in 2023 by presenting the Palestinian Ambassador, Dr. Zuhair al-Shun. The seminar and book review event which was held on Thursday, December 5 2024/4 Jumadil Tsani 1446 AH coincided with the day of the liberation of Baitul Maqdis by Amirul Mukminin Umar bin Khattab from Roman hands in the 16th century AH. The sources presented at this event were activists and writers of Palestinian books, including Prof. Dr. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, MA (Chairman of the MUI for International Relations and Professor of Islamic History at FAH UIN Jakarta), Dr. Fahmi Salim, Lc., MA. (Director of the Baitul Maqdis Institute and Chair of the Indonesian Azhari Dai and Missionary Forum), Ust. Ali Farkhan Tsani (Senior MINA News journalist and AWG representative) and moderated by Satria Tamami, S.Hum, fresh graduate of the SPI Study Program who wrote a thesis on Palestine.

The speech was started by the chairman of the implementing committee, Ahmad Khafi Rizal and continued by Siti Khairunnisa, representative of HMPS SPI. In his speech, he said that the aim of this activity was as a form of solidarity between SPI students and the struggle of the Palestinian people. Siti said that the Palestinian issue is not only a political issue, but is a global humanitarian issue that must be of concern to all parties.

Then continued with remarks by the Chair of the History and Islamic Civilization Study Program, Dr. Zakiya Darojat, MA who emphasized that the struggle to defend and support Palestine is the eternal struggle of Muslims. “The defense of Palestine is not only aimed at defending the Palestinian people, but is a form of defense of the values of humanitarian solidarity, justice and human rights that have been torn apart for so long in Palestine. The defense of Palestine is an eternal struggle and will not stop until Palestine achieves its independence. "Palestine is the earth of the Nabiyullahs, and a holy place for Muslims, because that is where Baitul Maqdis is located where there is the Aqsa Mosque which is a transit point for Rasulullah SAW when performing the Isra Mi'raj and is the first qibla for Muslims," he said. Dr. Zakiya also emphasized that the way we voice justice for Palestine can be in various ways and forms, including through academic activities like this,” he said

The next speech was delivered by the deputy dean III for Cooperation, Prof. Usep Abdul Matin, S.Ag., MA, MA, Ph.D, who highlights the importance of historical awareness, identity politics, and media popularity in shaping perceptions about Palestine. He also mentioned that the collaboration between FAH and AWG had strengthened UIN Jakarta's academic relations with Palestinian humanitarian issues.

FAH Dean's Remarks Dr. Ade Abdul Hak, M.Hum emphasizes the contribution of academics in the form of thought. “Hopefully these books will become a source of insight and a symbol of intellectual struggle for Palestine,” he said

Furthermore, the response from the AWG was represented by the AWG supervisor, namely Mr. KH Imam Yakhsyallah Mansur, MA, who emphasized the importance of reading books or literacy about Palestine, especially among the young generation of Muslims. "Even the birth of the Zionist state of Israel was inspired by books," he said

The event then continued with a presentation of material by resource persons which provided various important insights during the seminar:

Prof. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim highlighted the importance of historical literacy in understanding the Palestinian issue. He recalled that low levels of literacy could make people easily influenced by misleading information. “The historical context, identity politics, and popularity of the media greatly influence perceptions of Palestine. Therefore, literacy is key,” he said.

Second resource person Dr. Fahmi Salim explained the importance of building awareness about the close relationship between Baitul Maqdis and the archipelago. He encouraged the relevant ministries to insert this material into the curriculum of Islamic education in Indonesia. “The liberation of Palestine requires a scientific and political struggle. It all starts with freeing the mind first,” he explained.

Ust. Ali Farkhan Tsani reviewed a book he wrote with Imam Yakhsyaallah about the historical relations between Indonesia and Palestine. He emphasized that this relationship had been established since the 15th century through trade routes and Islamic preaching. The Palestinian people, through their ulama, became the main supporters of Indonesian independence at a time when they themselves were still oppressed, he said, while calling for the importance of cultural and literacy support for Palestine.

This event was also marked by solidarity actions in the form of spontaneous donations from participants, including direct donations from FAH lecturers. Apart from that, the books discussed in this seminar, such as the work of Dr. Fahmi Salim entitled Taufan al-Aqsha and Ust. Ali Farkhan Tsani, entitled Relations between Indonesia & Palestine, is expected to open new insights about the struggle of the Palestinian people.

This seminar was a moment of deep reflection for all participants. Prof. Usep Abdul Matin, Deputy Dean III of FAH, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between the SPI FAH and AWG study programs in holding this event. “Activities like this strengthen our relations with Palestine and strengthen students' academic abilities,” he said.

The event closed with the reading of prayers for the Palestinian people and an invitation to continue to voice justice until Palestine achieved full independence.

Photo Source: Youtube: Al Jama'ah TV