Jakarta, 8 September 2025 — The Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) conducted a series of academic and humanitarian engagements in Jakarta, strengthening partnerships with Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ). Dr. Ferooze Ali, Senior Fellow at AMEC and lecturer at Sultan Zainal Abidin University, Malaysia, who were visiting Indonesia had these visitations focused on interfaith dialogue, youth activism, and humanitarian aid for Palestine.

The first visit took place at Universitas Indonesia (UI), where Dr. Ferooze met with Mr. Broto Wardoyo, Ph.D., Head of the International Relations Department. Their discussion explored how the Palestinian issue is understood among non-Muslim communities in Indonesia, particularly Christians, and emphasized that the conflict should be framed as a human rights crisis, not merely a religious one.

Mr. Wardoyo shared how organizations like the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) are often included in Muslim-led Palestine solidarity actions by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), sending a clear message of interfaith unity. They also discussed the limited influence of Evangelical Christian groups in Indonesia. 

The conversation further highlighted the growing role of youth in Palestine advocacy. Student organizations, digital activism, and grassroots movements are increasingly framing the issue within a global justice narrative. Dr. Ferooze noted this as a promising trend for sustaining inclusive, values-based support for Palestinian rights.

Later that day, Dr. Ferooze and AMEC Indonesia’s team visited Dr. Asep Setiawan (AMEC’s Regional Coordinator) and Mr. Hamka, M.Si (Senior Lecturer at UMJ) at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ) for a closed discussion in preparation for his upcoming book on NGOs and Malaysian Foreign Aid to Palestine. The session was co-organized by AMEC and UMJ’s Political Science Program.

In the discussion, Dr. Ferooze stressed the urgency of increasing and improving humanitarian aid to Gaza, particularly in light of ongoing Israeli aggression. He called on NGOs to enhance their professionalism, coordination, and transparency to ensure that aid is both effective and ethically delivered. He noted that aid has spiritual and moral significance in Islam, and its proper management reinforces public trust and accountability.

Mr. Hamka, M.Si shared findings from his year-long research on Muhammadiyah’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza. He highlighted Muhammadiyah’s role in humanitarian diplomacy, in strengthening Indonesia’s global image as a humanitarian actor, and in supporting peace aligned with national foreign policy.

Recent figures show that Malaysian NGOs, through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for Palestine (AAKRP), have distributed over 99 million Ringgit (approx. IDR 383.4 billion) in aid between 2023 and 2025. Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah has contributed IDR 40 billion across two periods. Other Indonesian NGOs—such as Dompet Dhuafa, Aqsha Working Group (AWG), Maemuna Center Indonesia, and MER-C—also remain active in Gaza relief efforts.

These visitations reaffirm AMEC’s commitment to fostering academic dialogue, interfaith understanding, and sustained humanitarian support for the people of Palestine. Through partnerships with Indonesian institutions, AMEC continues to amplify advocacy that is grounded in justice, collaboration, and compassion.