Indonesia's Muhammidiyah Sending Funds to Hamas, Hezbollah
By Zachary Abuza
The head of Indonesia's Muhammidiyah, the world’s second largest Muslim organization, and concurrently the head of the Indonesian Ulama’s Council (MUI) has called for the organization to raise money for Hezbollah and Hamas. Din Syamsuddin, was quoted in the Jakarta Post as saying, “There is no need to send men there. I think we should donate more money to help Hezbollah and Hamas fighters buy more weapons.” Din Syamsuddin claimed that the Muhammidiyah had already donated money to Hamas and delivered it to the PLO “Embassy” in Jakarta. The Muhammidiyah has become increasing conservative in recent years. The US-educated Din Syamsuddin used his position in the MUI to call for recruits to travel to the conflict zones in Indonesia to engage in sectarian conflict from 1998-2001.
On Friday, the Indonesian Government announced that it sent $1 million in financial aid to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government, and was preparing $1 million for Lebanon. The government is still considering sending a peace keeping force to Lebanon if a ceasefire is reached.
Large anti-American and anti-Israeli demonstrations were held in Jakarta on Saturday.
