"We wish to have good relations with NU, Muhammadiyah and various other Islamic organizations," Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia Abdurrahman Al-Khayyat said to ANTARA here on Wednesday.
Citing the good relations that had developed, Abdurrahman Al-Khayyat referred to NU Chief Said Aqil Siraj who had pursued his graduate studies in Saudi Arabia to later become a respected Islamic leader in the country.
He said his country had also provided 200 scholarships for Indonesians who wish to study in his country.
"They may study not only Islam but also other sciences and technology," he said.
Abdurrahman Al-Khayyat who is to return home this month after being posted in Indonesia for five years said increasing the relations between the two countries would be the main priority of Saudi embassy officials in Jakarta.
"I am proud of having been Saudi ambassador in Indonesia for five years," he said adding that his youngest child was born in Jakarta.
He said therefore Saudi diplomats in Jakarta would have a heavy task of maintaining and increasing the good relations.
LKBN Antara (National News Agency) Chief Ahmad Mukhlis Yusuf at a meeting with the Saudi ambassador meanwhile said ANTARA wished to continue building good relations with the Saudi government and people.
"We see that the two countries` relations have been good," he said.
In respons to his statement ambassador Abdurrahman said he would invite ANTARA journalists to cover various important events in his country such as the hajj pilgrimage.
Around 220,000 Indonesians conducted hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year.
Regarding his immediate departure home ambassador Abdurrahman said he would remain close to the people and government of Indonesia although he would no longer be in the country. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
