The President spoke of the issue of the Ummah's interest, in this case being the Hajj pilgrimageJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a courtesy call from Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, President Jokowi and Minister Al Saud held discussions on several topics, including the Hajj pilgrimage implementation and the economic cooperation between the two states.
"The President spoke of the issue of the Ummah's interest, in this case being the Hajj pilgrimage. The president said he lauded the implementation of this year's Hajj after the two-year-long pandemic," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied the President to the meeting, noted via an official statement here on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Marsudi said the President commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for offering Indonesia the largest Hajj pilgrim quota, which is more than 100 thousand people, or precisely 100,051.
With the improvement in the pandemic situation, the President expects the quota for Hajj pilgrimages to continue to be increased. He also prayed for this year's Hajj to run smoothly and safely.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian foreign affairs minister shed light on their future plans. Should there be an improvement in the situation, then the quota for Hajj pilgrims would be increased.
The Government of Saudi Arabia will also develop infrastructures to facilitate the pilgrimage.
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President Jokowi spoke of Indonesia's plan to build an "Indonesian House" in Mecca City to provide maximum support to Indonesian Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
"We seek support from the government authorities, from Saudi Arabia, and this message will be delivered by the Saudi Arabia Foreign Affairs Minister to the authorities in Saudi Arabia," Marsudi stated.
Speaking in connection with inter-community relations, Marsudi reported to President Jokowi that the Saudi Arabian authorities had lifted the ban on visiting Indonesia.
She stated that this was the result of long-standing discussions between the two states on the basis of the handling of the COVID-19 condition in Indonesia that has drawn praises globally.
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"The United Nations has commended Indonesia, the way Indonesia manages COVID. And yesterday, we also knew that the Prime Minister of Australia gave the similar (remarks)," she stated.
Thus, the government responded to the decision positively. The policy was expected to have an impact on tourism and business visits in Indonesia.
President Jokowi also highlighted one of the plans for economic cooperation in the energy transition sector, which was expected to be pursued at the earliest.
During the meeting, President Jokowi was also accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister was accompanied by Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Indonesia Esam A. Abid Althagafi.
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Translator: Mentari D G, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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