The Cordoba Foundation hosted a parliamentary delegation from Indonesia on Friday 13 December, led by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament (Defense and Foreign Affairs) Dr H. Sukamta MP.
The 25-member delegation included eight parliamentarians from the Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS): Mohamad Sohibul Iman MP, Regulatory Reforms and Human Rights); Aboe Bakar Al Habsyi MP, Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Security; Hendry Munief MP, Industry, Trade, Creative Economy, and Broadcasting; Muhammad Kholid MP, Banking and Finance; Ateng Sutisna MP, Regional Autonomy, Bureaucratic Reform, Land Reform, Elections; Izzuddin Al Qassam Kasuba MP, Industry, Trade, Creative Economy; and Nevi Zuairina MP, Energy, Investment and Environment.
Representatives from the Indonesian Embassy were also present to support the parliamentary delegation.
The delegation joined the Friday Prayers at the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre, followed by meetings locally, including with politicians and charities. This was followed by a high-level briefing meeting with Muslim community leaders. Hosted by Dr Abdullah Faliq, Managing Director of The Cordoba Foundation, the briefing drew a diverse and influential audience that included leaders from the British Muslim community, senior officials from ruling parties of Muslim-majority countries, human rights activists, media consultants, lawyers, and leaders of various civic organisations.
Dr. Faliq welcomed the delegation, “it is wonderful to have the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament along with a number of MPs grace us with their presence today. We at The Cordoba Foundation welcome such encounters as it provides for meaningful exchange of views and ideas but also an opportunity to share experiences. With the world’s largest Muslim population and being SouthEast Asia’s largest economy, there is a lot to be gleaned from Indonesia”.
Dr Anas Altikriti, CEO of The Cordoba Foundation, sent a special video message whilst on a speaker tour abroad.
In his address to the briefing meeting, Dr Sukamta highlighted Indonesia’s long-standing support for Palestinian rights, emphasising their consistent refusal to recognise Israel despite decades of diplomatic pressure. He outlined Indonesia’s humanitarian response to the crisis in Gaza, including the deployment of medical teams and the establishment of two hospitals. The Deputy Speaker also discussed Indonesia’s broader diplomatic efforts, noting their regular raising of emergency items to address the situation in Gaza at international forums.
The briefing included engaging discussions on various topics, including the Justice and Prosperous Party’s efforts to advance BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) legislation through parliament, future reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and their approach to other international humanitarian issues.
Dr Sukamta spoke about Indonesia’s unique position as the world’s most populous Muslim nation and its commitment to pluralistic values while maintaining strong support for Palestinian independence.
The event concluded with an engaging questions and answer session that addressed several challenging topics. These included Indonesia’s trade policies, potential pressure for normalisation with Israel through the Abraham Accords, and the country’s humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. The discussion highlighted how Indonesia navigates its support for Palestinian rights while facing diplomatic pressures and complex regional dynamics.
The briefing provided valuable insights into Indonesia’s diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives, demonstrating the nation’s significant role in supporting Palestinian rights on the international stage.
