JAKARTA – The Indonesian Ulama Council in its latest fatwa has urged Muslims in the country to avoid transactions and the use of products affiliated with Israel as much as possible.
Fatwa division chairman, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, said in a statement that supporting Israeli aggression against Palestinians or parties who support Israel, either directly or indirectly, is considered ‘haram’ (forbidden/unlawful).
He also urged that the government take decisive steps to assist the Palestinian struggle through diplomatic efforts at the United Nations (UN), pressuring Israel to halt aggression and imposing sanctions.
The fatwa suggested that Muslims support the Palestinian cause through humanitarian fundraising, expressing solidarity, praying for victory, and performing absentee prayers for the martyrs in Palestine.
Meanwhile, the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) of Indonesia has urged President Joko Widodo to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza during his upcoming meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on November 13.
The request, conveyed through an open letter today, emphasised the dire situation, condemning indiscriminate attacks by Israel and causing civilian casualties amid the 36-day-long aggression in Gaza. – November 12, 2023