MUI Honors Retno Marsudi and Jusuf Kalla for Advocacy of World Peace
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, and former Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, were honored by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for their significant contributions to promoting global peace and advocating for the freedom of the Palestinian people.
In a ceremony led by MUI Chairperson M. Anwar Iskandar, Kalla received the “Peace Mujahid” Award, while Marsudi was bestowed with the “Diplomacy Mujahidah” Award. The terms “mujahid” and “mujahidah” are Arabic for “one who fights for Islam,” reflecting their efforts in championing justice and peace on the international stage.
“They have made their contributions based on the principles of humanity and our Constitution, which mandates that independence is the right of all nations,” Iskandar remarked during the ceremony.
Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, MUI Chairperson for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, underscored that the awards were presented in recognition of the unwavering efforts of Marsudi and Kalla in fostering peace and promoting the Palestinian cause. He highlighted their leadership in not only facilitating negotiations but also encouraging mutual understanding and dialogue.
“The two figures reflect leadership based on peace, dialogue, and sincerity,” Hakim noted.
In his acceptance speech, Jusuf Kalla stressed the importance of collective global efforts in resolving conflicts, particularly the ongoing situation in Palestine. He pointed out that Israeli aggression has not only impacted Palestine but has also escalated tensions in neighboring countries, such as Lebanon. “We hope the conflict will be resolved for the sake of global peace,” Kalla said.
Marsudi reaffirmed Indonesia’s continued commitment to advocating for Palestinian independence, noting her efforts during the recent United Nations General Assembly to encourage more countries to recognize Palestine. “Indonesia chooses to continue advocating for humanity and defending what is right,” she stated, emphasizing that global recognition of Palestine would empower its people and strengthen their struggle for independence.
The awards serve as a testament to Indonesia’s leadership in international diplomacy and its steadfast support for peace and freedom in Palestine.
