No comfy mattress can be found in her room, and she relies on a single shabby blanket to keep warm at night.
Few would imagine her to be capable and willing to set aside a portion of her earnings to help relieve the oppressed people in Palestine. But that’s exactly what she has managed to do.
After learning about the increasingly dire situation in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza from social media, Warsiti launched her personal campaign by telling her customers, including schoolchildren, that she will donate some of her income to Palestine for humanitarian purposes.
“I have been telling schoolchildren that Indonesia owes Palestine. Since they (Palestinians) are currently facing hardships, we must help them. We owe them for supporting our independence,” she told ANTARA.
Warsiti, who initially scraped together Rp1 million (US$63.7) in charitable funds after saving for half a month, has so far managed to send as much as Rp14 million (US$892) to Palestine.
She received some of the funds from a benefactor wishing to help her meet her personal needs.
Refusing to depend on her children and grandchildren, she prefers to live independently although all three of her kids are financially successful.
Taking note of her sincerity, the committee of the Batam People with Palestine decided to create an online link for members of the public willing to donate money so Warsiti can perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
Umrah refers to a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time, unlike the Hajj, which needs to be performed on specific dates of the year.
Warsiti’s genuine concern for Palestine has prompted Batam residents to help her visit the holy land.
This month, she will realize her longtime dream of praying and prostrating before God in the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad.
She has promised that after completing the pilgrimage, she will continue to collect funds for Palestine until she draws her final breath.
Show of solidarity
“Palestine will always be in every 'diplomatic breath' Indonesia draws,” said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in 2018, reiterating the nation's resolve to help Palestine achieve independence.
The sincerity demonstrated by Warsiti and the firm statement made by the head of state are proof of Indonesians’ unanimity in backing the Palestinians’ fight for freedom.
Last year on November 5, about one month after Israel launched its large-scale invasion in Gaza, millions of Indonesian people from different religions, organizations, and groups flocked to the National Monument, or Monas, in Jakarta.
They not only included residents of Jakarta and its surrounding areas, but also Sumatra Island.
In the name of humanity and conscience, they rented vehicles to reach the capital city to voice their love for the oppressed in Palestine.
Foreign media outlets covered the grand event, which saw Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi reciting a poem she wrote for the people of Palestine.
Former vice president Jusuf Kalla; Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani; Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy; Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas; and chairperson of the Indonesia-Palestine Friendship Initiative, Din Syamsuddin, also joined the event.
This solidarity has spilled over into almost every corner of Indonesia. Even now, the Indonesian people are not wavering in launching similar events.
For instance, a group of people under the banner of the Alliance of Batam People with Palestine recently held a peaceful activity to collect donations in Engku Putri Square, Batam.
Indonesia has continued to collect charitable funds for Palestine, including through online portals run by philanthropist institutes and the Indonesian government.
Collecting and distributing donations has not been the only means used by Indonesians to support the Palestinian cause.
Ever since Israeli occupation forces commenced their genocidal campaign in Gaza, calls to boycott Israel-affiliated products have been gaining popularity in Indonesia.
Suwaibah, 25, a resident of Batam, said she has not purchased any products — such as toiletries, household items, foods, and beverages — suspected of being connected to Israeli colonialists for a year.
To stay true to her commitment, Suwaibah has installed an application that can detect Israel-affiliated products.
The youngster’s experience is proof that people can do without Israeli products.
Further, Indonesia has boldly stated that it will never forget or leave Palestine alone.
During her final meeting with Commission I of the DPR on September 12, 2024, Foreign Affairs Minister Marsudi urged the Indonesian nation to not leave Palestinians alone in their struggle for freedom from Israel.
It is safe to say that the actions and statements of President Widodo, Minister Marsudi, Suwaibah, Warsiti, and a plethora of other people reflect the nation’s perpetual opposition to any kind of oppression and colonialism on the planet.
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Translator: Laily R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
