Ukrainian Ambassador Visits PBNU, General Chairman: Stop the War Immediately

Jakarta, NU Online
Ukrainian Ambassador to Indonesia, Vasyl Hamianin visited the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) headquarters at Kramat Raya 164, Central Jakarta, Monday (7/3/2022). He was greeted directly by the General Chairman of PBNU KH Yahya Cholil Staquf or Gus Yahya.

On that occasion, Gus Yahya called for the violence that occurred in Ukraine to be stopped as soon as possible.

"On behalf of NU, I call on Russia, President Putin, to stop this war immediately, a ceasefire right now," said Gus Yahya in a press conference after the meeting on the 2nd Floor, PBNU Building.

"NU will try to do whatever it takes to help," he stressed.

He continued that what happened to Ukraine, is not only a matter between the two countries but also a threat to the entire international community.

"I call on the international community to wake up immediately and do something together to stop this crisis," he said.

Humanitarian catastrophe
During his visit, Ambassador Hamianin explained the current conditions after the Russian invasion to Ukraine on February 24, 2022. He said the conflict that occurred in Ukraine was a humanitarian catastrophe.

"What happens in Ukraine today is a humanitarian catastrophe," Hamianin said.

He also said that nothing can justify the war. For this reason, he believes that the world community must unite to stop Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He considered that only unity can bring peace, stability, and development to this world.

"Nothing can justify war, nothing can justify killing civilians, nothing can justify crimes against humanity," he said.

"That is why we call on the world community, the people, the media, the religious organizations, the religious communities, to stand up and end this war."

In particular, he hopes that Muslims in Indonesia, especially NU, will pray that the invasion that has taken place so far can end soon.

"Every life is important. So, I hope that NU and Muslims in Indonesia will give us prayers to end this soon," he said.

Letters to Russian Orthodox Christian leaders

In this regard, Gus Yahya said that his party had joined with various religious leaders around the world to write letters to Orthodox Christian leaders in Russia. The letter contained a plea to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war.

"We are still waiting for what will be done,” said Gus Yahya who was born in Rembang, Central Java.

Meanwhile, he also stated that he was trying to find a way to connect with the Russian mufti. "We will discuss what we can do together next," he said.

Reporter: Nuriel Shiami Indiraphasa
Editor: Muhammad Faizin