Antara News·Indonesia·Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 02:20 PM

East Java, Palestinian officials discuss stronger ties, cooperation

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Willi I, Rahmad Nasution

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa met three senior Palestinian officials at Surabaya’s Al-Akbar National Mosque on Sunday to discuss stronger ties and cooperation.

The delegation included Mahmoud Sedqi Abdalrahman Alhabbash, religious adviser to Palestine’s president, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammed Hussein, grand imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Ambassador Abdalfatah Ahmed Khalil Al-Sattari.

“For East Java, Palestine is not far away. Strong emotional, religious and humanitarian bonds exist within our community, and this visit reinforces that brotherhood,” Khofifah said.

Khofifah said East Java’s ties with Palestine extend beyond government relations, rooted in public empathy, prayer and a shared commitment to universal human rights.

“From East Java, we wish to build spaces of solidarity that carry messages of peace. May this meeting yield meaningful benefits for both nations,” she added.

She highlighted the presence of Al-Aqsa Grand Imam Mohammad Ahmed Mohammed Hussein, describing the mosque as a vital spiritual landmark uniting Muslims worldwide.

Khofifah offered prayers for Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza, and expressed hope the delegation’s visit would pave the way for more productive future dialogue.

“Thank you for visiting East Java. May future meetings prove even more productive, and may God grant strength and endurance to the people of Gaza,” Khofifah said.

She pledged that East Java residents would continue offering prayers and support for lasting peace and stability across Palestine.

Alhabbash expressed appreciation for the warm reception from Khofifah and the provincial administration during the delegation’s visit to Surabaya.

He called the meeting an important step toward strengthening friendship between the two nations and briefed the governor on the hardships faced by Palestinians.

“We feel deeply honored by the governor’s welcome. We discussed our friendship and explained the ongoing struggles and suffering our people face under occupation,” Alhabbash said.

Alhabbash said Palestinians remained resolute in defending their homeland and preserving their historical presence on their ancestral lands.

“We assured the governor that we will remain in Palestine and defend our presence. Having lived there for thousands of years, we will continue fighting for our homeland,” he said.

The discussions also covered potential economic and social cooperation programs to support Palestinian welfare and institutional development.

Alhabbash expressed hope that preliminary talks with Khofifah would develop into concrete partnerships, strengthening ties between the Indonesian and Palestinian peoples.

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