Antara News·Indonesia·Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 07:57 AM

Indonesian President Prabowo reaffirms support for Palestine

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Aditya Ramadhan, Uyu Liman

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast support for Palestine during an address at the centennial commemoration of the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday.

While welcoming the foreign ambassadors in attendance, the president specifically recognized Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulfattah A.K. Al-Sattari. The gesture was met with immediate roaring applause and cheers from the audience.

Prabowo then chanted "Free Palestine" three times, with the thousands of attendees echoing the call in unison. Moved by the display of solidarity, Ambassador Al-Sattari approached the stage to present the president with a traditional Palestinian scarf keffiyeh.

They embraced on stage before thousands of students, alumni, and invited guests. Following the exchange, President Prabowo appeared deeply moved, visibly wiping his eyes and bowing his head as he held the newly donned keffiyeh, which he wore for the remainder of the event.

Continuing his address, Prabowo chanted "Free Palestine" twice more, drawing another resounding response from the crowd and adding emotional weight to the culmination of the boarding school's centenary celebration.

The president arrived at the venue at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time (GMT+7), wearing a traditional white koko – a shirt commonly worn by Indonesian Muslim men – and a black peci cap – an Indonesian version of the fez.

He was welcomed by Hasan Abdullah Sahal, head of the Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School, and Din Syamsuddin, former chairman of Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia's largest Islamic non-governmental organizations.

The president was also greeted by Mohamed Abdelrahman Eldeweny, Deputy Grand Imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar.

Other notable attendees included Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speakers Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono and Hidayat Nur Wahid, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

Prior to the centenary reception, President Prabowo officially inaugurated the Faculty of Medicine at Darussalam University (UNIDA) Gontor.

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