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Children express solidarity, hatred in anti-Russian rally in Jakarta
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Stop war crimes! Women and children hold posters calling for the end of killings in Aleppo, Syria, during a rally in front of the Russian Embassy in Jakarta on Monday. In the rally, protesters condemn Russia for killing Syrian Muslims.
(JP/Margareth S.Aritonang)
A
rally lambasting Russia's role in the killings of civilians in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo on Monday saw two children express their solidarity with the children of Aleppo as well as their hatred for Russia.
Seven-year-old Azka and his 9-year-old sister, Zaeda, were given the stage during the rally in front of the Russian Embassy in Central Jakarta. What started as a call for mercy from the two children later turned into political tirades.
Zaeda started her plea for mercy by reading out her own poem describing the suffering of children in Aleppo, contrasting it with the comfort she enjoyed in Indonesia. Her poem however later turned into a passionate opposition to leaders of Russia and Syria for the killings of children in Aleppo, saying, "I will not hesitate to spit on their faces if I meet them."
Read also: Islamic groups condemn Russia, Iran over war crimes in Aleppo
Her younger brother Azka took the stage repeatedly chanting, "Expel Russia from [Indonesia] right now."
Both children said that they learned about the situation in Aleppo from their mother, who they said frequently told the story.
The Monday rally was organized by a coalition called Gerakan Kemanusiaan 212 (Humanitarian Movement of 212), which involved about 20 Islamic groups in Jakarta. The number 212 refers to Dec. 12 when about a million Muslims took to the streets and held a Friday prayer to call for the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is currently a defendant in a religious blasphemy case. (evi)
