Why Palestine Matters in Indonesia: Religion, Humanitarianism, and the Formation of Public Opinion among Indonesian Muslims
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65815/9p5kbm03Keywords:
Palestine, Indonesian Muslims, public opinion, religion, humanitarianismAbstract
The Palestinian issue has maintained strong visibility within Indonesian Muslim society despite its geographical distance from Indonesia. Public solidarity is expressed through religious sermons, demonstrations, humanitarian fundraising, social media campaigns, and consumer activism. This article examines the social factors contributing to the persistence of Palestine as an important issue within Indonesian Muslim public opinion. Using qualitative sociological analysis, the study explores the interaction between religious identity, humanitarian values, historical narratives, media exposure, and political discourse. The article argues that Indonesian support for Palestine cannot be explained solely through religious solidarity. Humanitarian concern, perceptions of international injustice, Indonesian foreign policy traditions, and digital media also contribute significantly to public engagement. The study proposes a multidimensional framework for understanding Palestine-related public opinion in Indonesia. Particular attention is given to younger Muslim populations whose political participation increasingly occurs through digital platforms. The article concludes that Palestine functions as a significant transnational issue through which Indonesian Muslims negotiate religious identity, humanitarian values, national foreign policy, and contemporary global politics.
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