MAKASSAR, SOUTH SULAWESI — “How about if this book is auctioned for IDR 5 million as a Gift of Love for Palestine?” Teh Yunda suggested, launching the first auction bid of the evening at the Grand Islamic Lecture “Pray For Humanity Volume 4,” organized by the Makassar Volunteer Coalition for Palestine in partnership with the Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi Branch at Karebosi Field, Makassar, on Friday (2/2/2024).
Halifa Intania (29), among the attendees, promptly raised her hand. Decisively, she offered, “May I add another IDR 5 million? So it totals IDR 10 million!” Halifa exclaimed, accepting the bid for the Gift of Love. Besides the sermon, Ustaz Koh Dennis Lim and Teh Yunda also auctioned a book by Koh Dennis, alongside merchandise, as a Gift of Love for Palestine.
All eyes were on Halifa, who received heartfelt appreciation, mashallah. After being invited, Halifa advanced to the front to receive Koh Dennis’s book, exclusively autographed by Koh Dennis himself, and posed for a photograph together. In the subsequent auctions, she again took the opportunity, contributing a total of IDR 30 million through this moment of kindness.
“Actually, this is money collected together with other good friends. I felt called and wanted to be responsible, so I’m channeling it all into a meaningful act of kindness through Dompet Dhuafa, a trustworthy organization. Qadarullah, this time we together witness the struggle of our brothers in Palestine,” Halifa shared during Pray for Humanity Volume 4.
To the Dompet Dhuafa team, Halifa mentioned that she had previously encouraged her community and friends via social media to collaborate in acts of kindness, especially for Palestine. Halifa, along with the Bareng Sister Fillah community, had been present since the afternoon, dressed in all white and other items featuring Palestinian-themed motifs on their hijabs.
“Along with Bareng Sister Fillah, I also actively participate in study sessions, and this time it’s interesting, with Dompet Dhuafa, there’s Koh Dennis and Teh Yunda, and many bazaars as well. So, I initiated and invited friends through social media, including for donations, we gathered it. I don’t want to win alone, I want us to win together,” she added.
Baca juga: Kepedulian Terhadap Palestina Menggema di Panggung Sound of Humanity Dompet Dhuafa
When discussing her motivation, she further stated that she had just begun wearing the hijab at the start of 2024. She aimed to solidify herself further with activities that bring her closer to goodness and, of course, to Allah SWT.
“I’ve become more embarrassed about myself. I’m active on social media, creating fashion content or product reviews too. But I realized my activities there previously still involved wearing revealing clothes, among many things that turned out to be harmful. In 2022, I went for Umrah, in 2023, I went for Umrah again, becoming more embarrassed and recognizing my flaws. So, bismillah, since 2024, I’m striving to be better,” Halifa confessed.
“I’m also a ‘Two-Line Warrior’ just like Teh Yunda. So, I want to learn from Koh Dennis and Teh Yunda’s hijrah story in this book because it greatly inspires me. Pray for my steadfastness, please,” she added.
During his moment, Koh Dennis stated, “Ms. Halifa is a concrete example, inspiring us too. Our task is as simple as to convey, don’t be afraid to speak up. If possible, don’t just speak, but show real action. Now is the time to reinforce action. Boycotting is okay, donating aid is okay, especially praying is very much encouraged. Salute to Ustaz Arif from Dompet Dhuafa who also directly went there. This is an example, let’s not diminish our spirit. Our struggle will not be wasted by Allah.”
The auction continued, with Halifa inspiring other visitors to contribute a Gift of Love for Palestine. Alhamdulillah, that night, more than IDR 50 million was collected as a Gift of Love for Palestine, channeled through the Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi Branch.
The Acting Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi, Nurwana, in her speech, explained, “We organized this event as an expression of our love for Palestine. Currently, the community might have begun to diminish its fervor, but seeing everyone present here today, thankfully, that’s not the case; the passion still exists. May it continue to ignite our spirit for Palestine. The situation there should also serve as a contemplation of our gratitude here.” (Dompet Dhuafa/Dhika Prabowo)