REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MECCA--IMECCA--Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali held a meeting with Turkish President of Religious Affairs Prof Mehmet Gormez in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss a possible future cooperation in religious affairs and Hajj management.

"I have just met Prof Dr Mehmet Gormez, the president of Turkey's religious affairs to talk about future Hajj management in Turkey and Indonesia," Minister Ali said after the meeting.

The two officials exchanged experiences and view in managing minor Hajj (umroh) and they planned also to invited each other to visit their respective countries and resume the talk to the next level.

"Our delegation will come to Jakarta to initiate cooperation. I believe the Saudi Arabian Hajj affairs ministry would also appreciate this talk" he said.

Director General of Hajj and Umroh Management of Idonesian Religious Affairs Ministry Anggito Abimanyu said Turkey and Indonesia have established cooperation in education.

Both nations shared many similarity as muslim countries and great potentials, which were stil not at the fullest, including in Hajj management. Abimanyu was conviced the future deal could provide Indonesia and Turkey significant advantages.

As world's largest muslim nation, which automatically shared the biggest pilgrims in Holy Land during the Hajj season, Indonesia was seen by Turkey as particular case. Meantime, Turkey claimed the fifth place, after Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

This year, Turkey sent 59,200 Hajj pilgrims and as many as 14 thousand were forced to cancel their pilgrimage to perform Hajj since Saudi Arabia slashed its quota by 20-percent due to the renovation of Al Haram Mosque.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika