The announcement of Israel’s ratification of the ceasefire agreement is a pivotal moment to end the two-year war in Palestine.

Nearly all nations have welcomed this ceasefire agreement. This includes various humanitarian organizations that have been providing aid and donations to Palestine.

One of them is the Palestinian Love Foundation (YKP).

“Praise be to God, this moment is a crucial turning point to immediately provide massive humanitarian aid and begin long-term recovery efforts for the people of Gaza, who have suffered from the genocide by Israel since October 7, 2023,” stated the Director of the Palestinian Love Foundation.

It is known that the Gaza War, which began on October 7, 2023, has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis.

Furthermore, the two-year war has devastated almost all public service buildings such as hospitals and mosques.

“The Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque, built in Khan Younis, Gaza, through public donations, was also destroyed by missiles from Israeli Zionist aircraft,” the director added.

Therefore, as an institution that has consistently helped Palestinians in Gaza since 2016, the Palestinian Love Foundation will act quickly to shift its focus from emergency response to recovery programs and infrastructure reconstruction.

“This is very important to restore life, stabilize the psychosocial condition of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and rebuild vital facilities that have been destroyed,” the director stated.

Rebuilding the Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque

According to the director, one of the focuses of the Palestinian Love Foundation’s reconstruction efforts will be rebuilding the Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque in Khan Younis, Gaza.

It was explained that the Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque was built on a 1,751 square meter plot of land with a building area of 940 square meters.

The Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque began construction in 2019 and was completed and inaugurated on February 22, 2022.

“The funds for building this mosque came from donations by the Indonesian public, collected by the Palestinian Love Foundation and the fundraising platform Sharing Happiness,” the director explained.

The presence of the Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque in Gaza is a symbol of the brotherhood between Indonesia and Palestine.

The naming of Istiqlal was inspired by the Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia. Its inauguration was held in Gaza and virtually at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

“As the meaning of the word ‘Istiqlal’ signifies independence, may God Almighty soon grant the blessing of independence to the Palestinian Nation,” the director emphasized.

In addition to accommodating 5,000 worshippers daily, the mosque had become a major post capable of storing humanitarian aid from Indonesia. This post facilitated donations for food, medical aid, winter needs, Ramadan charity, and other basic necessities coming from Indonesia.

This four-story mosque also contained special rooms designated as a Tahfidz school for Palestinian children, lecture halls, and a multipurpose hall that could be used for community meetings and gatherings of prominent figures.

“We hope that with the ceasefire and a permanent peace in Palestine, this Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque can stand again and become a symbol of true independence for the people of Gaza,” the director clarified.

In addition to rebuilding the Indonesian Istiqlal Mosque, the director added that the Palestinian Love Foundation will also assist in the reconstruction of health and education facilities in Gaza.

“Including other assistance that can help recover from trauma and meet the basic needs of our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” the director concluded.

Istiqlal Mosque

The Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. It was built to commemorate Indonesian independence, with construction beginning in 1961 and completed in 1978. The mosque’s name, “Istiqlal,” means “independence” in Arabic.

Khan Younis

Khan Younis is a historic city in the southern Gaza Strip, founded in the 14th century. It is named after its Mamluk-era founder, Yunus al-Nuruzi, and was historically known for its strategic location and an ancient caravanserai (khan) that served traders and travelers. Today, it is a major urban center with a long and complex history in the region.

Gaza

Gaza is a historic coastal city in the Palestinian territories with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years, having been ruled by various empires including the Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, and Ottomans. Today, it serves as the economic and administrative center of the Gaza Strip but faces significant challenges due to ongoing political conflicts and a humanitarian crisis.

Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago nation, located in Southeast Asia, with a history deeply shaped by Hindu-Buddhist empires like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Dutch colonial rule. It is renowned for its vast cultural and biological diversity, including thousands of islands, hundreds of ethnic groups, and iconic sites like the Borobudur Temple. The country gained independence in 1945 and is now a vibrant republic known for its rich traditions, arts, and stunning natural landscapes from Bali’s beaches to Sumatra’s rainforests.

Palestine

Palestine is a historic and culturally significant region in the Eastern Mediterranean, often called the Holy Land due to its profound importance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It has been under the control of various empires throughout history, including the Roman, Ottoman, and British. Today, the political status of the Palestinian territories is a central issue in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. Historically known as Batavia during the Dutch colonial era, it served as the capital of the Dutch East Indies and became the center for the spice trade. Today, it is a bustling, sprawling metropolis that serves as the country’s political and economic hub.

Tahfidz school

A Tahfidz school is an Islamic educational institution specifically dedicated to memorizing the entire Qur’an. Students, known as *hafiz/hafizah*, undergo rigorous training to commit the sacred text to memory, a tradition with deep roots in Islamic history. These schools emphasize preserving the Qur’an through oral recitation, continuing a practice that dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Its history dates back to 610 CE when, according to Islamic belief, the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this holy month. The observance of fasting from dawn until sunset during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.