Construction of the Islamic Centre in Surakarta will be entirely sponsored by the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a present for the city.
"(The construction) may commence next year, as the building's drawing has recently been finalised," Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated in Surakarta on Monday.
The Islamic Centre will be located in the city's Jebres Sub-district, by the east of the city centre, and close to the existing Solo Techno Park, he noted.
Surakarta's Sebelas Maret University and the Indonesia Institute of the Arts complex will also be located a short distance from the Islamic Centre, the mayor affirmed.
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"The Islamic Centre (at its designated location) will conform with the existing local ecosystem, and the Crown Prince has also consented to the final location," Raka remarked.
The mayor remarked that construction of the Islamic Centre will not be hindered despite the mountainous terrain of the designated location.
Raka expressed optimism that the Islamic Centre would provide alternative activities beneficial for residents and boost the religious activities of Muslims in Surakarta and the adjacent regions.
Apart from the Islamic Centre in Surakarta, Crown Prince Al Nahyan also plans to build a new Grand Mosque bearing the name of Sheikh Zayed in the city as a mark of homage to him upon completion.
Speaking in connection with the construction time, head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Surakarta, Hidayat Maskur, confirmed that construction of the Islamic Centre would commence after the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is built.
"The Islamic Centre's construction would commence after the Grand Mosque is built," Maskur stated.
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Translator: Aris Wasita, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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