TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government suggests the international community to implement an International Protection for the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
“The condition in Jerusalem is unstable. Therefore, we suggest the International Protection idea,” said Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir in Jakarta on Friday, July 28.
The idea has been proposed at a United Nations meeting several days ago and will be discussed at the extraordinary meeting between foreign affairs ministries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation`s (OIC) members.
Read: Indonesia Conducts Diplomatic Efforts to Liberate Al Aqsa
According to Arrmanatha Nasir, Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas had been previously proposed the idea back in 2014. The international protection is expected to guarantee the Muslim community to freely conduct their prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque.
The international protection can be in numerous forms. However, the Indonesian government itself has yet to decide a certain mechanism for the protection. The foreign affairs ministry spokesman confirmed that Indonesia is engaging the global community to contribute to the effort.
Arrmanatha said that protection mechanism for the Al Aqsa Mosque does not need to be under the authority of the United Nations once the International Protection is implemented. However, it would be much more effective if it is backed by UN country members, he added.
AHMAD FAIZ
