"These include economic potentials, tourism, and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, as well as visiting tourist and historical places for Muslims in Indonesia," he stated.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid received a visit from Chairman of the Russian Muslim Spiritual Council (Mufti) Albir Krganov to discuss the role of diplomacy in enhancing relations between both nations.

In addition, Wahid noted that the discussions centered on relations between Muslims, the state, and the development of democracy in Indonesia and Russia.

"We agree on the importance of strengthening diplomacy between countries, parliaments, and other social institutions and enthusiastically accept the invitation to improve relations and cooperation between the two countries and nations," Wahid noted in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday.

Wahid conveyed the statement while receiving a visit from Krganov and his delegation at the MPR Leaders’ Meeting Room, Parliament Complex, Senayan, on Wednesday (June 15).

The meeting was also attended by Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Lyudmila Vorobieva.

Indonesia has prioritized the importance of intensifying relations with several friendly countries and conducting diplomacy for the benefit of all friends, Wahid affirmed.

He noted that most Indonesians were Muslims, so it is necessary to strengthen relations and cooperation with the Muslim populace in the world, including in Russia.

Hence, he is upbeat that Krganov's visit will not be the last but will be followed by subsequent visits, including to witness firsthand the relics in Indonesia that hold evidence of the close relationship between Indonesia and Russia.

"These include economic potentials, tourism, and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy, as well as visiting tourist and historical places for Muslims in Indonesia," he stated.

During the meeting, Wahid submitted a proposal to obtain a copy of the law concerning the life of religious people in Russia as stated by the Mufti of Russia.

He stated that the law is expected to be used as a reference in the framework of preparing the Draft Law on the Protection of Religious Figures and Symbols that is currently being proposed by the PKS faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) and has been included in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) priority list.

During the meeting, Krganov recalled the close relations between Indonesia and Russia that had been ongoing since long and also since Russia was still called the Soviet Union.

He said during that time, Indonesian President Soekarno had visited the Soviet Union and prayed at the Saint Petersburg Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Russia.

"This incident makes Indonesia's relations with Russia very close. Russian Muslims also have great respect for Indonesia, and they always laud the Indonesian people and consider them as brothers," he stated.

Krganov explained that Russia currently has over 20 million Muslims, eight thousand mosques, 150 Islamic boarding schools/madrasas and Islamic secondary education institutions, and 20 Islamic universities.

"In every mosque, there is a school for children, so that the structure of Islamic education in Russia is already connected from the lowest to the highest Islamic education," he pointed out.

Krganov is optimistic that his visit to Indonesia would further boost relations and cooperation between the two countries, the parliament, and the Indonesian and Russian people. (INE)



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Translator: Imam B, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Agus Setiawan
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