Lebanese Ulema Delegation To Visit Indonesia

Cairo (Antara Bali) - A Sunni ulema delegation from the Lebanese National Grand Mufti Board is scheduled to visit Indonesia next week to forge bilateral ties between the two countries in the educational and cultural fields.  

The delegation led by Vice Grand Mufti Dr Amine El Kurd will visit Indonesia for 10 days from November 26 to December 5, the chief of information and socio-cultural functions at the Indonesian embassy in Beirut, Wendi Budi Raharjo told an Antara correspondent based in Cairo on Sunday.

The six-member delegation will comprise Syeikh Amine, Dr Syeikh Abdul Hadi El Khatib, Dr Syeikh Bilal Baroudi, Dr Syeikh Ali Muhammad Ghazzawi, Dr Syeikh Abdurrahman Al Rifai, and Syeikh Rabih Bakri Kasbah.

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin is expected to greet the delegation upon arrival in Jakarta.

Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Achmad Chozin Chumaidy said the main mission of the Sunni ulemas' visit is to establish cooperation in Islamic education and culture and exchange views with their Indonesian counterparts.

"The face of Islam in Indonesia known for being tolerant and moderate has become special attraction for the Lebanese ulemas to visit (the country) and exchange views (with their Indonesian counterparts)," he said.

Ambassador Ahmad Chozin said Lebanese Grand Mufti Syeikh Abdul Latif Faiz Derian is looking forward to strengthening bilateral ties with Indonesia in the educational, religious and cultural fields.

The visit is the result of cooperation between the Indonesian embassy in Beirut and Darul Fatwa of the Republic of Lebanon, national fatwa council for Sunni Muslims in the country.

While in Indonesia, the delegation will meet with the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, the chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the chairman of Muhammadiyah.

Earlier, Darul Fatwa said it is ready to provide scholarships for Indonesian students to pursue higher education at its campuses in Lebanon. (WDY)