JAKARTA — Dompet Dhuafa and Gueari Galeri present the book Sejuta Surat untuk Palestina, an anthology that presents 75 selected works in the form of letters, poems, illustrations and photos. This anthology is the result of collaboration with nearly 400 young contributors who voice the hopes, prayers and determination of young people to support humanity.
The book of One Million Letters to Palestine was launched in a musical theater event “Tanah Yang Terpenjara-Lantangkan Suara untuk Palestina” with Titimangsa at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, on Thursday (03/10/2024) evening. This event became a platform for young artists to express their solidarity with Palestine through various art forms.
This anthology presents various perspectives on the Palestinian conflict, ranging from the situation experienced by civilians, resistance, to hope for a better future. The selected works not only touch the heart, but also inspire readers to participate in the humanitarian struggle.
“The contributors who are also school students are the generation that will be the successor to the Indonesian nation in the future. Therefore, children from an early age need to get information and be able to understand, and then be given the opportunity to channel their feelings and thoughts. At the same time, it is important to accommodate their creativity, and their creative work is channeled appropriately, one of which is writing a letter to Palestine,” said Chairman of the Board of Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Ahmad Juwaini.
“Every work in this book is clear evidence that the younger generation has a huge concern for global issues. Through this anthology, we hope to inspire more people to contribute in realizing peace in Palestine,” he added.
One of the illustrations by Chiki Fawzi, a contributor to One Million Letters to Palestine, is divided into six interrelated parts, telling the emotional journey of the contributors in addressing the issue of genocide in Palestine. From deep sorrow over the situation of civilian suffering, hope, resistance, hope for peace, to a commitment to continue to stand in solidarity for humanity.
“Each work in this anthology was selected based on the sincerity of its message, becoming a burning spirit to continue to speak for the voiceless, echoing peace and emphasizing the commitment to stand firm in calling for justice for Palestine and all humanity,” said Caron Toshiko, Gueari Gallery, the compiling team of the book Sejuta Surat untuk Palestina.in the book Sejuta Surat untuk Palestina, an anthology that presents 75 selected works in the form of letters, poems, illustrations and photographs.
Supported by DDTV, the creative process in compiling this anthology was carried out in September 2024 through an open call and through a literacy class with Santri Nulis, a community of literacy activists, and Syaikh Ibrahim Ali Hasan, a da’wah figure from Gaza, Palestine, which was attended by students from three schools, namely Al Syukro Universal Islamic College South Tangerang, Syarif Hidayatullah Development Madrasah Jakarta, and Islamic Bilingual School Al Ikhlas Bekasi.
The participants of the literacy class, who were students from elementary to high school, poured out their work in various ways. In addition to writing letters, some wrote poems and even made illustrations. Interestingly, in addition to the beauty of pouring out their thoughts and feelings, they also make it very honest and brave typical of children.
With various works, the contributors illustrate responses to the bitter reality experienced by the Palestinian people, while envisioning a brighter future. Through this anthology, Dompet Dhuafa invites the wider community to continue to provide support to Palestine with the aim of increasing public awareness of the humanitarian conflict in Palestine, inspiring the younger generation to actively contribute to social issues, and mobilizing support for Palestine.
Read also: From the Land of the Imprisoned: An Unquenchable Call for the Struggle of the Palestinian People
Dompet Dhuafa published the book One Million Letters to Palestine to continue to encourage the spirit and attention of Indonesian citizens and the nation to the problems in Palestine. The presence of this book is a positive forum in conveying the aspirations, ideas, perspectives and support of Indonesian citizens, especially the next generation, for their brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Quoting a sentence from one of the letters in the book, Safiyya KN, “This is not about ‘Team Israel’ or ‘Team Palestine’, this is about humanity.”
The book of Sejuta Surat untuk Palestina can be obtained for Rp250,000 where all proceeds will be donated for Palestinian humanitarian assistance through Dompet Dhuafa.
For more information about the Sejuta Surat untuk Palestina anthology, please contact Dompet Dhuafa’s Customer Care Service number: 08111544006 (WhatsApp) with the typing format: [Name] [Address] [Mobile No.] and [Order Amount].
One Million Letters to Palestine
Publisher:
Dompet Dhuafa & Gueari Galeri
Compiler:
Editors: Caron Toshiko, Dhika Prabowo
Graphic Design: Andi Ari Setiadi
Administrative Management: Selvy Safitri
Work Coordinator: Akhmad Rizal Fauzi, Siti Nuriyah Fatkhul Jannah
Photo: Dompet Dhuafa Documentation Assets
Publications: Heni Yuhaeni, Kushilda Wulandari, Surnawati
Contributors:
Ade Ufi, Anndini Dwi P, Arief Rachman, Chiki Fawzi, Dewi Rieka, Dona Danar, Jamilah Ahmad, Moh Suharsono, Nabila Humairah Heer, Nurul Hafizatul Isnaini, Siska Irma Diana, Wafi Syukri, and students of Al Syukro Universal Islamic College South Tangerang, Syarif Hidayatullah Development Madrasah Jakarta and Al Ikhlas Islamic Bilingual School Bekasi.
Supported by:
DDTV, Islamic Bilingual School Al Ikhlas Bekasi, Madrasah Pembangunan Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Islamic College Al Syukro Universal South Tangerang, Santri Nulis, Titimangsa.
Text and photos: Dhika Prabowo, Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dedi Fadlil