Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar Ridwan Hassan interacting with youth at the event.
Doha: Commemorating the 93rd Youth Pledge Day, the Indonesian Embassy in Doha has initiated the Indonesian Youth Gathering.
The event, which was held on October 28, 2021, was attended by representatives of Indonesian youth in Qatar from various backgrounds such as students, artists, athletes, and young entrepreneurs.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan said that this event was initiated to show that loving Indonesia can be done by anyone, from anywhere.
“Being a diaspora does not mean being less of a nationalist. On the other hand, by becoming a diaspora abroad, we have the privilege to serve our country even more,” said Ambassador H E Ridwan Hassan in his opening remarks.
Dr. Anto Mohsin, an Indonesian academic at Northwestern University in Qatar began the discussion by asking what Indonesia means and how young diaspora can contribute to Indonesia. Starting from this question, the participants then discussed various topics, from youth leadership, gender equality, access to education and health, environmentally sound development, to sports.
“Indonesia for me is not just a column in my passport. More than that, Indonesia is a place where my soul and heart resides,” said Izhar Fadhlurrasyad, an Indonesian student at an International School in Qatar. In line with Izhar, for Kayana Elmaadi, Indonesia is both her home and identity. This is what motivated her and her friends to establish AnakQatar, an Indonesian youth community in Qatar that actively explores Indonesian cuisine, fashion, pop culture and heritage.
Every year, the Indonesian youth and diaspora in Qatar commemorate the Youth Pledge Day which falls on every October 28. About 93 years ago, (in 1928), a group of young Indonesian nationalists gathered in Jakarta where they pledged to have one motherland, one nation, and one language; Indonesia.
