TANJUNGPINANG, KEPULAUAN RIAU — The Sound of Humanity (SOH) charity concert at Tugu Sirih Square, Gurindam City, Tanjungpinang, organised by Dompet Dhuafa on Sunday (20/10/2024), proved the power of music and compassion. When the world is grappling with the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, SOH offers a glimmer of hope and a platform for solidarity. Dompet Dhuafa Riau Islands collaborated with music composer Panji Sakti, local musicians, the Tanjungpinang Jaga Palestina Alliance, and the people of Riau Islands.
That night, hundreds of pairs of ears solemnly enjoyed the musicalisation of poetry by Panji Sakti. The song ‘Kepada Noor’ successfully hypnotised the audience and closed the Sound of Humanity event. During his performance, Panji Sakti also voiced his concern for Palestine. He is concerned about the genocide that is happening to his brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Panji Sakti believes that the presence of the audience is part of the goodness that God keeps in them. Panji also expressed his appreciation to all who have donated, as well as inviting them to continue to entrust donations through Dompet Dhuafa.
‘This is our first time to the Riau Islands, I am sure that you are sitting here because God is nurturing his goodness in you, thank you friends who have donated, because we are sometimes confused about donating through what channel, friends can entrust it to Dompet Dhuafa,’ said Panji Sakti on the sidelines of his performance.
Alhamdulillah, through SOH, a humanitarian donation of IDR 37,215,000 was raised, which will later be channelled to Palestine through Dompet Dhuafa. In addition to the donations raised, the concert served as a powerful reminder that art and culture can be powerful tools for social change. By bringing together musicians, poets, and community members from diverse backgrounds, Dompet Dhuafa has endeavoured to create a space where voices can be amplified and empathy can flourish.
The involvement of social activists, artists and local communities in SOH is evident. Their participation not only enriched the cultural landscape but also underlined the universal nature of human suffering. The tragedy unfolding in Palestine is a clear reminder that it is incumbent upon all of us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and oppressed.
Sound of Humanity was also enlivened by various other activities, such as poetry readings, performances by local bands and musicians, traditional dance, and a public discussion entitled ‘Land of the Imprisoned: One Year of Attacks on Genocide in Palestine’. The discussion was led by Dedi Fadlil as Senior Officer of Creative Content Dompet Dhuafa, Didik Supriyanto as Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Kepri, and Ustaz Eko Iskarisma.
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‘Various concrete efforts have been and continue to be implemented by Dompet Dhuafa to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. Efforts from various channels, both through collaboration with the government and establishing partnerships with various local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Palestine,’ said Dedi.
‘Humanitarian synergy is also established with the Indonesian Humanitarian Alliance (IHA). We provide aid such as logistics, refugee tents, ambulances, health services, food security programmes such as DD Kitchen and Food Bank, and we also support Ramadan such as iftar packages, Eid gifts, and many more,’ he added.
Dedi also reminded that around November, the people of Gaza will enter winter, in this case SOH is a step from Dompet Dhuafa to invite the community to provide the necessary assistance for the people of Gaza.
‘In November, the people of Gaza will also begin to enter winter, and this should not be forgotten from our attention, we can try and think about the efforts we can make to help them enter winter in November. And today’s SOH and fundraising are Dompet Dhuafa’s efforts to start providing assistance related to the winter that they will face in less than a month,’ added Dedi.
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In line with that, Didik Supriyanto as Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Riau Islands also revealed that the support through art is also an effort for Palestinian independence.
‘Dompet Dhuafa collaborates with local musicians here for Palestine, from this action by expressing it with works of art carried out in various regions, including the Riau Islands, it has succeeded in raising funds and support for Palestine,’ said Didik.
Dompet Dhuafa will not stop ‘making noise’ to voice the truth for Palestine. With charity concerts, humanitarian campaigns, and endless collaborations, Dompet Dhuafa wants to inspire more people to care, donate, and support the struggle of the Palestinian people, and become the frontline in voicing justice in the midst of the injustice they experience.
Dompet Dhuafa plans to continue to carry out similar actions as a form of support for Palestine. Various creative and innovative activities will continue to be initiated to increase public awareness of the importance of the issue of the independence of the State of Palestine. Let’s lend a hand, unite steps, with Dompet Dhuafa for Palestine through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donate/jagapalestina. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri, Creative Content DD
Editor: Dhika