Ukraine Ambassador Asks Muhammadiyah for Support Against Russian Invasion

TheIndonesia.id - The Ukrainian Ambassador to Indonesia Vasyl Hamianin met with the leaders of Islamic organization Muhammadiyah to discuss the current situation in Ukraine and to ask for support from Indonesians to prevent a “humanitarian disaster” amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

During their meeting at Muhammadiyah headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday, March 10, Hamianin said he hoped the Indonesians will support the Ukrainians, including Muslims in the eastern Europe country.

“I’m hoping that Indonesians will pray for Ukraine and for the Muslim brothers and sisters [there], and we hope that Indonesians are willing to help preventing a humanitarian disaster,” he said, as reported by Antara.

The Ambassador met leaders of Muhammadiyah Central Executive both virtually and in person, where he explained the dire situation in Ukraine, in which civilians have also been killed in attacks carried out by Russia.

“It’s rooted in neocolonialism. We know that Ukraine is planning to be part of a new, solid union, and the occupation of Russian military is absolutely cruel and inhumane,” he stated.

According to him, there are about two million Muslims in Ukraine, and they, along with the military, are fighting to defend their country.

He also confirmed during the occasion that nine Indonesians who are still trapped in Cherhiniv are safe and will be evacuated in the coming days.

Meanwhile, general secretary of Muhammadiyah Central Executive Abdul Mu'ti said the organization stands behind the Ukrainian people and their fight to defend their land.

While Muhammadiyah will provide aids, Mu’ti didn’t confirm what those will be because Muhammadiyah has to coordinate with its zakat institution Lazismu and international humanitarian agency.

“Principally, Muhammadiyah will try to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are the victims of this war. But we will distribute [the aids] through international institutions, and we will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he explained Mu’ti.