[Jakarta] Barbaric is the proper term for the persecutors of Sumiati and the murderers of Kikim Komalasari, two female migrant workers (TKW) from Indonesia who were tortured by their respective employers in Saudi Arabia.

However, the recurrence of such cases of persecution and murder only showed a small portion of the notoriety of capitalism. That was the message delivered by around 250 Muslim women from Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), on Wednesday (24/11) morning in Jakarta. The protesters were concentrated at three points simultaneously at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, in front of the Presidential Palace, and in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta.

At the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, they did not deliver a speech, but just carried banners and posters. One of the posters that read ‘Sumiati and Kikim = Small Victims of Notorious Capitalism’ was stretched and shown to riders and passersby who passed through the crowded street.

Other posters read:

The Heroes of Foreign Exchange = The Prey of Capitalism;

Capitalism Impoverishes, Khilafah Prospers;

Khilafah Makes Poverty History;

Khilafah Glorifies and Prospers the Women.

They stretched both posters and banners. Among them read:

FEMALE MIGRANT WORKERS ARE NOT SLAVES;

Persecution of Female Migrant Workers: NOT A Reflection of Islamic Law;

Leave Poverty Due to Capitalism;

Welcome the Welfare In the Shade of Islamic Khilafah;

Capitalism Deprives Human Resources;

Poverty is Rampant, Female Migrant Workers Soar;

Millions of Female Migrant Workers: the Evidence the Failure of Government to Make People Prosper.

The Delegation

During the protest, around five representatives from the Moslem Women of HTI led by the Women‘s Spokesperson, Iffah Rochmah Ainur, were received by the Head of Religious Affairs of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Shaufi.

In addition to submitting a written demand, a dialogue with the embassy took place. In relation to the cases of the persecution and the murder of the Indonesian maids, Shaufi stated that the Saudi Arabian government had acted firmly by holding the suspected perpetrators of the abuse against Sumiati and the murder of Kikim.

Shaufi also said that he would convey the message to the government of Saudi Arabia that in Indonesia the Muslim women of HTI had come to the Saudi Embassy to demand the solution of the women’s problems with Islamic Sharia.

On the occasion, the delegation said that despite claiming to be an Islamic state, the Saudi Arabian government did not reflect the Islamic government. “The Muslim should have a ruler who does not just apply the Sharia in one aspect but he should implement Sharia in all aspects!” said Iffah.

But the embassy refused to comment on the statement. “We do not have the authority to answer that,” said Shaufi.

Shaufi again refused to comment when the delegation asked him why the government of Saudi Arabia allowed the entry of American troops in the border areas of Saudi Arabia. “We do not need to widen the discussion to such matter!” He said.

[mediaumat.com]

{gallery}Activism/Indonesia/maid-demo{/gallery}