The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MUI, Baznas Launches $200 Million Fundraising Campaign for Palestine

Author: Dian Kencana
February 27, 2025

The atmosphere of the launching of the Joint Campaign to Raise Humanitarian Aid for Palestine in Jakarta, Wednesday (2/26/2025). (ANTARA/Kuntum Riswan)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), in collaboration with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), has officially launched a humanitarian fundraising campaign for Palestine. The campaign aims to raise $200 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 3.27 trillion.

"We are targeting a $200 million fundraising effort as an initial phase to support Palestine," said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anis Matta, during the campaign launch event in Jakarta on Wednesday (2/27).

Deputy Minister Anis expressed confidence that the target could be achieved, given that several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have previously managed to raise similar amounts.

Although no specific deadline has been set for the fundraising effort, the campaign will begin during the month of Ramadan. The collected funds will be allocated for humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza.

"We have not set a fixed timeframe. This campaign will start during Ramadan, focusing on two main programs: emergency assistance during the ceasefire period and Gaza's reconstruction," he explained.

Furthermore, Anis emphasized that the campaign is the result of three months of discussions with dozens of zakat and humanitarian organizations. It aims to establish a more coordinated solidarity movement in distributing aid to Palestine, with three key objectives.

"First, this program is strategic. Second, it will have a significant impact on our brothers and sisters there. Third, it has symbolic value, representing Indonesia’s presence as the largest Muslim-majority country in the world," he added.

Chairman of MUI’s Department of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, highlighted that Gaza's reconstruction is a major priority that must be addressed alongside international community efforts.

Meanwhile, Baznas' Head of Planning, Research, and Development, Zainul Bahar, expressed optimism that the fundraising target could be met.

"The Deputy Minister is fully committed to ensuring the success of this campaign. I am confident that we can achieve this goal," he said.

Baznas has already raised over IDR 320 billion for Palestine, with IDR 200 billion allocated for education, hospital construction, and housing development.