Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi stated that Palestinian students are welcome to continue their education in Indonesian pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools) and universities.

The commitment was conveyed during the visit of the Adviser for the Palestinian President on Religious and Islamic Relations Affairs, Mahmoud Al-Habbasy, to the ministry office here.

"We open new opportunities for Palestinian students keen to continue their education in our country. We have more than 50 public religious universities, 650 private religious universities, and more than 30 thousand pesantrens," Sa'adi noted as per the statement received here, Saturday.

While welcoming the visit of the Palestinian official as well as Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Zuhair Al-Shun, he expressed hope that relations between both nations would be enhanced.

"We, the Indonesian nation, will continue fighting for Palestinian independence," Sa'adi emphasized.

He also highlighted that the Indonesian Constitution mandated the Indonesian government and people to support the Palestinian cause.

"We, the Indonesian people, will continue providing support in diplomacy and various forms of assistance. Helping Palestine is the constitutional obligation we must adhere to," the deputy minister affirmed.

Meanwhile, Al-Habbasy expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Indonesian government and people for their wholehearted support and assistance for Palestinian independence.

"We express our gratitude to the Indonesian government and people. Palestine respects Indonesia's policies and supports regarding humanitarian issues in Palestine," the Palestine presidential adviser stated.

He also expressed hope that the Indonesian government would continue to advocate for the Palestinian cause through diplomacy and the international fora.

"Palestine is still being occupied by the Zionists. A lot of Palestinian people have been arrested (by Israel), and more have been surrounded and intimidated," Al-Habbasy stated.

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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