JAKARTA (ANTARA) – Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin announced that the governments of Indonesia and Egypt will strengthen cooperation to support humanitarian and development efforts in Palestine.
Amin made the remarks during a meeting with Grand Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Al Tayeb of Cairo’s Al-Azhar University at the Vice President’s Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Amin highlighted the crisis in Gaza and stressed the need for unwavering support for Palestine from both Indonesia and Egypt.
“I believe that Indonesia and Egypt will continue to strongly support Palestine in the future. Indonesia is paying close attention to the crisis situation in Gaza,” he said.
Amin also stressed Indonesia’s ongoing commitment to working with Egypt in providing humanitarian assistance.
He noted that cooperation with Al-Azhar University in waqf (endowments) and sadaqah (charity) management could have a lasting impact.
“We hope that Al-Azhar’s Zakat and Charity House can cooperate with the National Almsgiving Agency (Baznas) and the Indonesian Waqf Agency in this matter,” he said.
On the occasion, Foreign Minister Al Tayeb conveyed greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from Indonesia.
He noted that the President praised Indonesia’s important role in supporting the people of Gaza.
He said he hoped Indonesia would continue to support efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza, assist in the return of displaced persons, and increase humanitarian assistance.
The Indonesian government sent emergency medical aid worth $1 million to Palestinian refugees in Egypt on April 4 to show its support for Palestine and solidarity with Egypt in assisting Palestinian refugees.
The aid was the Indonesian government’s response to a request for assistance from the Egyptian Ministry of Health conveyed in January 2024. The delivery of assistance was delayed due to the Israeli attack on Rafah in February-March 2024.
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