Jakarta – The Advisor of the Indonesian Academics Forum appreciated the Aqsa Working Group for once again organizing the Palestine Solidarity Month as a campaign of moral and political resistance against Zionist Israel, which continues to commit humanitarian crimes in Palestine.

“This AWG agenda represents a strengthening of Indonesia’s political and humanitarian support for Palestine, a legacy inherited from national leaders since the era of President Sukarno,” he said in Jakarta regarding the ongoing Palestine Solidarity Month throughout November 2025.

Citing the Chairman of the AWG Presidium, it was further explained that November holds a special place in the long history of the struggle for Palestinian independence.

There are at least five important events that occurred in November: the Balfour Declaration (1917), the death of Yasser Arafat (2004), the Palestinian Declaration of Independence in Algeria (1988), the death of Palestinian figure Izzuddin Al Qassam (1935), and the UN “partition plan” for Palestine (November 29, 1947), which is also designated as Palestine Solidarity Day.

This particular November, the Palestine Solidarity Month carries the theme “Moving together to rebuild Gaza for the liberation of Al-Aqsa and Palestinian independence.” This agenda represents a historical call to continue maintaining and raising awareness about the importance of resistance against the Israeli Zionist occupation of Palestine.

The 2025 Palestine Solidarity Month is part of the global civil society’s defense of Palestine, which is now expressed by various peoples regardless of religion, race, and background.

Throughout November 2025, AWG together with its national networks and partners carried out various activities to raise public awareness about the importance of liberating Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian independence, ranging from education, social actions, to mass mobilization.

Some of the main actions of Palestine Solidarity Month this November include raising Palestinian and Indonesian flags on 23 mountains throughout Indonesia as well as in the Kapuas and Mahakam Rivers, Palestine expo and book discussions at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Al-Quds Festival, and public lectures and talk shows about Palestine.

Second track diplomacy

In another section, it was stated that AWG has played a role in implementing ‘second track diplomacy’ for the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian independence since its establishment 17 years ago, while “first track diplomacy” is fully carried out by the Government.

It was further explained that “first track diplomacy” which only involves the government in carrying out diplomatic missions would not be effective in delivering diplomatic messages to a country, let alone to the international community.

“Therefore, diplomatic activities through ‘second track diplomacy’ that involve public roles are greatly needed to complement traditional diplomatic activities that only involve the Government,” said the former Head of ANTARA New York Bureau 1993-1998 and ANTARA News Director 2016.

According to the senior journalist who is also Director of the Journalist Competency Testing Institute, when viewed from its consistent activities and public diplomacy in defending and seeking the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian independence, AWG has effectively carried out the function of ‘second track diplomacy’.

It was mentioned that approximately 80 percent of AWG’s activities involve education and socialization about the importance of understanding the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the struggle for Palestinian independence in various forums, in addition to mobilizing demonstrations supporting the Palestinian people’s struggle. The remaining approximately 20 percent consists of fundraising activities.

Within the framework of ‘second track diplomacy’, AWG under the auspices of Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School together with the Medical and Humanitarian Institution Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) and Maemuna Center Indonesia initiated the construction of the Indonesian Mother and Child Hospital in Gaza City, Palestine.

AWG itself is an institution established in Jakarta on August 21, 2008, with the purpose of accommodating and managing Muslim efforts to support the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people’s struggle morally and politically.

Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)

Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) is Jakarta’s premier cultural and arts center, established in 1968 and named after the renowned Indonesian composer Ismail Marzuki. It serves as a vital hub for performing arts, film screenings, and exhibitions, fostering the development of local artists and contemporary Indonesian art.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is one of the holiest sites in Islam. It is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey. The original mosque was constructed in the early 8th century, though it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history.

Balfour Declaration

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government in 1917 during World War I. It declared support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, which was then an Ottoman region. This declaration had a profound and lasting impact, shaping the subsequent history and conflict in the Middle East.

Palestinian Declaration of Independence

The Palestinian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 15, 1988, by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) chairman Yasser Arafat in Algiers. This document formally declared the establishment of the State of Palestine, based on UN General Assembly Resolution 181, and explicitly accepted the two-state solution, recognizing Israel’s right to exist. It is a foundational political text that outlines the Palestinian national identity and their aspirations for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

UN partition plan

The UN Partition Plan, officially UN General Assembly Resolution 181, was adopted in 1947. It proposed terminating the British Mandate for Palestine and partitioning the land into independent Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem under international administration. The plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders, and its implementation led directly to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Al-Quds Festival

The Al-Quds Festival is an annual international event held in support of the Palestinian people, traditionally taking place on the last Friday of Ramadan. It was initiated in 1979 by Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, to express solidarity with Palestinians and to protest Israeli control over Jerusalem (Al-Quds). The festival features rallies and speeches, emphasizing the significance of Jerusalem in the Muslim world and advocating for the Palestinian cause.

Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School

Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School is a prominent Islamic educational institution in Indonesia, traditionally known as a *pesantren*. While specific founding dates may vary by location, such schools have a long history of providing religious instruction, teaching the Qur’an, and fostering Islamic values within their communities. They play a vital role in preserving and transmitting Islamic knowledge and culture in Indonesia.

Indonesian Mother and Child Hospital

The Indonesian Mother and Child Hospital is a specialized healthcare institution in Indonesia dedicated to providing comprehensive medical services for mothers, infants, and children. Its history is rooted in the national commitment to improve maternal and child health outcomes, which has been a key public health focus in Indonesia for decades. These hospitals represent the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates through advanced, specialized care.