From Minangkabau – West Sumatra, Indonesia, for the World: A Humanitarian Poetry Reading for Gaza – Palestine
Reported by Leni Marlina
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PADANG, June 12, 2025 | suaraanaknegerinews.com — Amid the blazing grief and suffering in Gaza, voices from the Minangkabau highlands rise like drums of conscience. In a land renowned for its customs and deep faith, West Sumatra does not stand idly by. It answers the world’s anguish with a silent yet earth-shaking weapon: poetry.
Titled “Save and Love Gaza”, a special poetry reading will be held on the morning of Sunday, June 22, 2025, at GOR Agus Salim, Padang. This is more than a literary gathering—it is a soul-stirring call that transcends cultures, religions, and nations. West Sumatra takes part in the World Poetry Movement (WPM), which since May 15, 2025, has united 179 poets from 121 countries in a synchronized global poetry action—from Africa to Europe, Asia to Latin America—one voice from humanity to another.
Image courtesy of Sastri WPM-Indonesia & Organizing Committee.
This movement demonstrates that from classrooms, public stages, and broken hearts, resistance still breathes—without weapons, without hatred—armed only with one force: the truth of words.
From government officials and women’s organizations, notable attendees include:
1. Ibnu Azis, Deputy Mayor of Bukittinggi
2. Dianita Maulin Vasko, Chairperson of BKOW and Senior Advisor to the West Sumatra PKK Mobilization Team, who will read a poem from the heart of humanity’s solidarity.
From a wide array of poets and artists across generations and disciplines, the lineup features:
1. Sastri Bakry – senior poet, Indonesia Coordinator for World Poetry Movement (WPM), and Chairperson of SatuPena West Sumatra
2. Andrea C. Tamsin – senior poet, lecturer in the Department of Indonesian Language and Literature, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang
3. Yenni Ibrahim – artist and senior poet
4. Zamzami Ismail – poet and performing artist
5. Leni Marlina – poet, 2025 SatuPena West Sumatra Awardee for Literary Achievement, and lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature, Universitas Negeri Padang
6. Edrawati – teacher, writer, poet
7. Nofieana Gusti – poet and Chair of FORKASMI
8. Hesti Nelvia – poet, voicing the grief of Palestinian children
9. Tyo Kurniawan – young poet from PPIPM-Indonesia and Poetry-Pen International Community, and student in the Department of English Language and Literature, Universitas Negeri Padang
10. Rhein Eka Triana – poet
Islamic arts performances by Alfajr, Sumbar Talenta, and Barabah Group will enrich the event, weaving together faith and compassion, linking the heavens with the wounded earth of Palestine.
Eka Fitriyah Fauzar, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, stated:
“This is not about politics. This is about children losing their mothers and fathers. About parents losing their sons and daughters, their grandchildren. About homes and shelters reduced to ashes. About a humanity tested at its core. Gaza is our shared wound, no matter who we are or what god we worship.”
Her statement was echoed by Suryenti and Basnurida, Chairs of the Siti Manggopoh Women’s Association, who affirmed that poetry is a form of spiritual resistance—not to harm, but to awaken a sleeping world.
Among the poems to be read are:
1. Gaza, the Wounded City – Sastri Bakry
2. Amid the Cracked Earth – Leni Marlina
3. Red Skies over Palestine – Edrawati
4. Save Our Love: We Love Palestine – Nofieana Gusti
5. The Grief of Palestinian Children – Hesti Nelvia
6. Wrapped in Clouds, Resting on Prayers – Tyo Kurniawan
7. Give Us Weapons, O World! – Pipiet Senja, recited by Rhein Eka Triana
8. While We Stay Silent as 1,300 Children Are Slain – Yenni Ibrahim
This poetry event, Save and Love Gaza, is organized by World Poetry Movement Indonesia and Tonggak Nagari, in collaboration with organizations such as SatuPena West Sumatra, BKOW West Sumatra, FKPPI, DHD 45, Siti Manggopoh Association, FORKASMI, and HWK West Sumatra.
The initiative is also supported by prominent literary and poetry communities including:
PPIPM-Indonesia (Pondok Puisi Inspirasi Masyarakat),
Poetry-Pen International Community,
World Children’s Literature Community (WCLC), and
Starmoonsun Edupreneur Community Indonesia.
In Minangkabau philosophy, it is said: “Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah” (Customs are founded upon Sharia, and Sharia upon the Qur’an). Yet beyond that, its people uphold values cherished by all faiths and nations: justice, humanity, and peace.
Today, justice and humanity echo in a thousand poetic voices—not to condemn, but to awaken empathy and urge the world toward peace. For when the world falls silent, poetry speaks. When prayers go unheard, words will pierce the skies.
This event is open to all—regardless of faith, nationality, or language. Because Gaza is not the grief of one religion, one nation, or one people—it is a wound borne by all humanity.
