JAKARTA – Support for the Palestinian people continues to echo from Indonesia. On Friday (August 29, 2025), Dompet Dhuafa, a member of the Indonesia Global Peace Convoy (IGPC), officially sent off dozens of humanitarian volunteers to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international fleet sailing through the Israeli blockade in Gaza.
The send-off, held at the Granadi Building in Kuningan, South Jakarta, marked an important moment for the Indonesian people to reaffirm their solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle. The ceremony, titled “Flag Off Indonesia Global Peace Convoy 2025,” was attended by various figures, including Bachtiar Nasir, Ari Untung, Ikang Fawzi, Asma Nadia, Hussein Gaza, and hundreds of humanitarian activists who care about the Palestinian issue.
A total of 20 Indonesian volunteers from various professional backgrounds, ranging from journalists, medical personnel, humanitarian activists, civil defense personnel, to influencers, will join other volunteers from 50 countries. Indonesia itself is preparing 8 ships, the largest number after Malaysia, as a tangible contribution to this global humanitarian fleet.
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Dompet Dhuafa is not a new name in the Palestinian issue. Since its establishment more than three decades ago, this Islamic philanthropic institution has consistently distributed the trust of the Indonesian people to help the Palestinian people. Not only through the delivery of logistical and medical aid, Dompet Dhuafa is also involved in emergency services, including an ambulance fleet in North Gaza that is still actively evacuating war victims.
Deputy Director I of Social, Humanitarian, and Da’wah Programs at Dompet Dhuafa, Juperta Panji Utama, emphasized that the organization’s involvement in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission is a continuation of its struggle.
“Dompet Dhuafa will continue to be actively involved in every step of the mission until the aid can truly penetrate the Israeli blockade in Gaza. This is not the first time, and, God willing, it will not be the last.
Our commitment is clear. To ensure Indonesia’s solidarity reaches the land of Palestine,” he said.
Dompet Dhuafa has also been recorded as having sent various forms of aid since the Gaza conflict heated up again. Starting from the distribution of food packages, medical services through partners in the field, to building a global network to ensure that aid supplies can enter even though Israel has imposed a strict blockade.
At the launch event, Bachtiar Nasir emphasized that this mission is a voice of humanity for the world. He said that the greatest hope of this mission is to send a message to the whole world that the Israeli blockade has caused extreme hunger for the Palestinian people.
“The greatest hope of this mission is to convey a message to the whole world that the Israeli blockade has caused extraordinary hunger for the Palestinian people. We are not just sending them off, but escorting our brothers and sisters who are leaving to fight for humanity,” he said.
In addition, Husein Gaza, an activist who often acts as a spokesperson for Palestine in Indonesia, conveyed deep criticism and reflection.
“For decades, the Palestinian people have been colonized, but where have we been all this time? We often sleep and only wake up briefly when conflict arises. That is what the Israeli Zionists see. So don’t just blame the Israeli Zionists, but also ourselves for our negligence. Now, Indonesia is ready to lead this global movement. Those of us who boarded the ship are not heroes, but are only carrying out a basic duty that everyone should do,” he said enthusiastically.
Public figure Ari Untung also offered words of encouragement. As a public figure in the virtual world, he and his friends are willing to continue spreading the word about humanitarian actions to all their followers. Through this, he hopes that the voice for Palestine will continue to echo and awaken more Muslim brothers and sisters in the homeland.
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“Perhaps only dozens of people will depart, but I am sure there will be hundreds of millions of prayers accompanying them. Let us all support Dompet Dhuafa together with other humanitarian organizations so that this mission will be successful and the volunteers will return home safely,” he said.
This humanitarian mission has been structured as follows:
– August 29, 2025: Official departure of the Indonesian volunteer team in Jakarta.
– August 30, 2025: Indonesian delegation departs for Tunisia.
– August 31, 2025: Four days of intensive training for the entire volunteer team.
– September 4, 2025: The Global Sumud Flotilla ship sails from Tunisia to Cyprus, then to the waters of Gaza, joining the international peace flotilla.
If there are no obstacles, volunteers are expected to reach Gaza by sea within two weeks. However, challenges and risks in the field remain wide open.
Dompet Dhuafa views the Palestinian issue as a humanitarian issue, not merely a religious or political one. Therefore, every step taken, including in the Global Sumud Flotilla, is an effort to realize the values of “fair and civilized humanity.”
IGPC itself is a forum for collaboration between NGOs, communities, and Indonesian public figures who care about the Palestinian people’s struggle. In this coalition, Dompet Dhuafa is an important element that connects the aspirations of the Indonesian people with the global struggle.
Dompet Dhuafa’s participation in Gaza strengthens this humanitarian organization’s efforts not only on national issues, such as education, health, and economic empowerment. It also actively takes part in international humanitarian diplomacy.
With Dompet Dhuafa’s involvement, this joint mission is not limited to the distribution of aid, but is a continuation of this institution’s long journey in strengthening cross-border humanitarian solidarity. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika