Nabawi Mosque Grand Imam's Agendas during His Visits to Indonesia
- VIVA.co.id/Natania Longdong
Jakarta, VIVA – Grand Imam of Nabawi Mosque Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al-Hudzaifi is visiting Indonesia on October 8-11 for several activities.
The Grand Imam is scheduled to meet with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, and Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
Sheikh Ahmad arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Monday (October 7) at 22:45 local time.
On arrival, he was welcomed by Amin, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Faisal Bin Abdullah H. Amodi, Director of Islamic Information at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Ahmad Zayadi, and representatives of Islamic Community Organizations.
"I felt grateful for the special welcome from all of you. I want to say that I really love all Muslims in Indonesia," Sheikh Ahmad said on Tuesday (Oct 8).
Director General of Islamic Public Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Kamaruddin Amin said Sheikh Ahmad's visit to the country was to strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
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His visit also signifies the closeness between the Imam of the Prophet's Mosque and Indonesia.
"So, this is a form of friendship and close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia as well as an emotional connection as the Imam of the Prophet's Mosque," Kamaruddin stated.
Several activities covered in the official visit of the Nabawi Grand Imam to Indonesia include meeting with President Jokowi and Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas along with leading prayers and delivering Friday sermons at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, Amin remarked.
According to Amin, this visit was carried out with supervision by Saudi Arabian Minister of Islamic Affairs, Da'wah, and Counseling, Sheikh Abdul Latif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Syaikh, to highlight the message of the two holy mosques and strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Kingdom and Islamic countries to spread the values of moderation, balance, and tolerance.
