Civilian Casualties Continue to Mount, UIN Jakarta's 136th Graduates Call for Concrete Action to Defend Gaza's Humanity
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN Online News— The 136th undergraduate, master's, and doctoral graduates of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta emphasized the importance of more concrete humanitarian action for the citizens of Gaza, Palestine. A number of calls to action were read out simultaneously by the graduates at the Harun Nasution Auditorium Building, Saturday (24/05/2025), following the continued civilian casualties in the Gaza region, Palestine.
The emphasis on the importance of more tangible humanitarian action for the citizens of Gaza, Palestine began with an oration by Lintang Nadhifa, a graduate from the Faculty of Sharia and Law. In her oration, Lintang reminded the graduates and the public in Indonesia and the world of the ongoing humanitarian events that have persisted for decades in the region.
The ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, she stated, should indeed touch every conscience. Unrelenting military attacks, prolonged blockades, and a worsening humanitarian crisis with the majority of victims being children and women in the Gaza Strip symbolize the ironic suffering of humanity in this century.
“We realize that the degrees we achieve today carry a moral responsibility not to remain silent in the face of injustice anywhere,” she said in the oration.
After the oration, three graduate representatives successively read out the call for humanitarian action. The three were Lintang Ayu Taufiqoh herself who read the call in Indonesian, Fajrotusyifa (a graduate of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences) who read the call in English, and Awadh al-Karim (a graduate of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah) who read the call in Arabic.
The following is the full text of the call:
GRADUATION HUMANITARIAN ORATION
In the name of humanity and justice, We, the 136th graduates, declare our stance and joint call regarding the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine. First, to strongly condemn all forms of violence, colonization, and human rights violations committed against the Palestinian people. Second, to demand the cessation of military attacks and blockades against Palestinian territories. Third, to support just and dignified peace efforts for the Palestinian people, including the right to independence and self-determination. Fourth, to invite all global communities to demonstrate tangible solidarity through education, peaceful actions, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic pressure on parties perpetuating oppression.
Jakarta, May 24, 2025 On behalf of, The 136th Graduates of UIN Jakarta
Initiators of the Humanitarian Action, Ridho Rizki and Qoulan Syadida, stated that the action was carried out as an affirmation of the importance for the entire world community to take concrete steps in supporting the colonized citizens of Gaza in their own land. The delivery of the call for humanitarian action was made at the closing of the graduation ceremony as a sacred moment for the scholars.
Both also stated that the delivery of the action was also to affirm the concern of young people towards various humanitarian events that are very ironic. “Through this action, we invite all parties to be more concerned about the suffering of colonized citizens. Let us together continue to support them,” Ridho concluded.
A previous call to defend Palestine was made by the 132nd graduates in June 2024. In addition to displaying the Palestinian flag, graduate representatives delivered an oration containing an invitation for concrete action to defend Palestine.
However, with the continued spread of military attacks against Gazan civilians, the call for more tangible humanitarian action was voiced again by the 136th UIN Jakarta graduates. This is because, citing information from the Gaza Ministry of Health, Tempo reported that at least 53,010 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's genocidal war in Gaza since October 2023. (Hanif/Sabila/zm)