Construction of As Salam Mosque in Indonesia Islamic Center has Finished

President Jokowi and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani are shaking hands after delivering their statement, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/4) afternoon (Photo: JAY/PR)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that his meeting with the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, that was followed by a bilateral meeting, discussed a number of issues, including peace-building cooperation.

“Indonesia warmly welcomes the effort of the Government of Afghanistan to create stability and peace. Indonesia is ready to share its experiences in peace reconciliation,” President Jokowi said in a joint press conference with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/4).

The President explained that Indonesia has built Indonesia Islamic Center in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. This Center has a vision to encourage  the promotion of Islam as rahmatan lil alamin (blessing for the universe). “Indonesia Islamic Center in Kabul will provide health and education facilities that will bring benefits to the people of Afghanistan,” the President said.

According to President Jokowi, the construction of As Salam Mosque in that Center has finished and it can accommodate 2,500 congregants. In addition, Indonesia to finish health and education facilities for local people as soon as possible.

On the meeting, both countries also agreed to establish cooperation in capacity building sector. The President mentioned that so far, Indonesia has organized trainings for 358 people in 47 programs, covering agriculture, police, women empowerment, and government arbitration sectors.

“We also agree to expand capacity building cooperation in the future, among others, in law, housing, general works, fiscal policy, and higher education sectors,” the President said.

While in trade sector, the President admitted that there are still a lot of potentials that can be increased. Thus, both leaders agreed to encourage direct interaction between Indonesian and Afghan business people. President Jokowi also welcomed the organization of Indonesia-Afghanistan business meeting to be held in Jakarta, on Thursday (6/4).

The President also supported the proposal of Indonesia’s and Afghanistan’s General Elections Commissions (KPU) to hold a sharing experiences session because Indonesia’s KPU has experiences to organize an open and peaceful general elections.

Regarding five MoUs that have just been signed, President Jokowi wishes they can be implemented immediately. These MoUs cover the cooperations in several sectors, such as education, training, agriculture, statistics development, and government administration reforms. (FID/JAY/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)