Commemorative event on Khojaly tragedy held in Indonesia

Jakarta, February 25, AzerTAc A commemorative event on the 23rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide has been held in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The event was held in partnership with the Islamic Conference Youth Forum and as part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign. Tens of thousands of people, as well as a number of senior officials from the ministries and government agencies and famous religious figures of the country participated in the joint prayer in the Istiqlal mosque. Addressing the event, Omas Choirun Nisa Fujiati, the national coordinator of the Justice for Khojaly in Indonesia and Azerbaijan's representative Elmar Iskandarov gave detailed information about the severe humanitarian consequences of the aggressive policy of Armenia, the historical roots of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well as the goals of ''Justice for Khojaly'' campaign. Activists of the campaign also called people who participated in the common prayer to join the “Great Rally” for the Justice for Khojaly. A number of religious figures and senior officials condemned occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia and said they fully support Azerbaijan on the issue of Khojaly genocide. A rally under the slogan “Justice for Khojaly - The Forgotten Human Tragedy” was also held in partnership with the Islamic Conference Youth Forum and as part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign. Addressing the participants, Taufik Lubis, the Board Member of the ICYF-DC from Indonesia said the Indonesian government as well as President Joko Widodo should recognize the Khojaly massacre as genocide and support implementation of the UN and OIC resolutions. “A petition calling on the international community to recognize Khojaly tragedy as a ''genocide'' and a ''crime committed against humanity'' will be sent to the President of Indonesia and House of Representatives.” The activists from the Muslim Youth Association and Youth Organization of Islamic Cooperation participated in the protest events. At night the participants laid 63 candles in memory of 63 children murdered in Khojaly in a square in front of the parliament, using the slogan ‘Light a Fire to Fight the Liar”. The events were widely covered by the Indonesian press.