From The River to The Sea: Palestine, Humanitarian Organizations, And The Northern Indian Ocean

December 12, 2023

Contributor: Hamad Shoukat | Editor: Ari Stoltze


DEPOK, UIII.AC.ID - In a captivating and informative presentation titled "From the River to the Sea: Palestine, Humanitarian Organisations, and the Northern Indian Ocean," Dr. Nia Deliana, Ph.D., a renowned lecturer of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia, laid the groundwork for an intellectually intense evening. University of Edinburgh Director of the MSc Globalised Muslim World Dr. Kholoud Al-Ajarma captivated the audience with her tale and made an unforgettable impact on those in attendance.

The lecture expertly examined the Balfour Declaration's origins as well as the tumultuous years after World War I. Dr. Al-Ajarma's expert storytelling brought the Suez Canal's strategic significance to life by illuminating its effects on trade and naval might. Her remarks were more than just a recounting of events; they were a stark reminder of how long-lasting the consequences of geopolitical decisions can be for whole regions and nations.

An emotionally charged section of the speech concerned the plight of Palestinian refugees during the years 1947–1949. Dr. Al-Ajarma painted a vivid picture of communities torn apart by the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Egypt's occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has forced two-thirds of the people to flee to neighboring countries. Many Palestinians were forced to seek sanctuary in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, in addition to the West Bank and Gaza. The audience related to the ongoing issue since the UNRWA definition gave a human face to the massive numbers by including those who lost their houses and their way of life as a result of the 1948 conflict.

The historical narrative moved smoothly to the borders of Palestine in the past and today. Dr. Al-Ajarma painstakingly outlined the many contributions of humanitarian organizations, each of which is vital to tackling the problems encountered by displaced communities. The lecture emphasized the cooperative efforts of various organizations in alleviating the humanitarian crisis, including the World Food Programme (WFP), Islamic Relief Worldwide, Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam, Save the Children of Palestine, the Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Focusing on the Gaza Strip's maritime limits, this article delves further into the Palestinian State's announcement of its maritime boundaries on September 24, 2019. Dr. Al-Ajarma skillfully made the connection between the problems in Gaza and the size of the Northern Indian Ocean, highlighting the interdependence of international politics and local conflicts.

Notable individuals such as Nizar Lukman, Khairunnas, Qudrat Mirzayi, Wahyu Wulandari, and other students attended the lecture. Dr. Al-Ajarma deftly intertwined the complex aspects of the North Indian Ocean with the illuminating history of Palestine throughout her presentation. The subsequent interactive session proved how effective the presentation had been. Nizar Lukman, Khairunnas, Qudrat Mirzayi, and Wahyu Wulandari were among the political science master's students who participated in a question-and-answer session. Their perceptive inquiries demonstrated an in-depth familiarity with the material and a desire to comprehend it better. These students' varied experiences and viewpoints enriched the class conversation, turning the lecture room into an exciting arena for new ideas.

Dr. Al-Ajarma's theories have clearly left an effect on the M.A. Political Science class at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia's Faculty of Social Sciences, with the lecture theatre still echoing with student discussion. The talk inspired interdisciplinary debate while also raising our understanding of the challenges Palestine confronts. Dr. Nia Deliana, Ph.D., as well as her colleagues' initiatives to bring students from various academic backgrounds together, illustrate their commitment to creating a classroom where diverse points of opinion may coexist and encourage new ways of thinking.

Finally, it is essential to praise Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia for hosting this forum where thought-provoking discussions like this may take place. The excellence of the university's guest speakers and students was on full display in Dr. Al-Ajarma's presentation, which served as a showcase for her knowledge. The institution's dedication to quality is evident in the dynamic academic environment, which is marked by a hunger for knowledge and a dedication to global understanding. As this thought-provoking discussion comes to a close, it will leave a lasting impression of heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of global issues and a stronger will to find solutions.