REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Religious Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the arrival of Grand Shaikh Al Azhar Imam Akbar Ahmed Al Tayeb will be a meaningful visit for Indonesia.

“Thank God this afternoon I welcome the arrival of Grand Shaykh Al Azhar Imam Akbar Ahmed Al Tayeb on his official visit to Indonesia, for approximately four days. Although short, I think this visit is very meaningful for us in Indonesia, especially Indonesian Muslims,” Menag Yaqut said in Jakarta on Monday.

The Yaqut statement was delivered while welcoming the arrival of Grand Shaikh Al Azhar at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Tangerang, on Monday.

Grand Shaykh Al Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb has visited Indonesia three times in the past decade. The first two visits took place in 2016 and 2018. On this third visit, Imam Akbar Al Tayeb is scheduled to be in Indonesia for four days, July 8-11, 2024.

While in Indonesia, she is scheduled to meet the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Istana Negara. After that, the Chairman of the Muslim Hukama Assembly (MHM) is scheduled to fill a Public Lecture at the Islamic State University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

Imam Akbar Ahmed Al Tayeb will also hold discussions with interfaith leaders, as well as meet with the Chief Executive of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and the Head of the Center (PP) of Muhammadiyah, the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), and the Center for the Study of the Quran.

Menag hopes that Grand Sheikh Al Azhar's visit will inspire the understanding, practice, and experience related to religious moderation that has been the focus of Al Azhar University.

“We know that Al Azhar has been very concerned about religious moderation. I think this arrival will also be very inspiring for all of us, natively and religiously,” Menag Yaqut said.

According to Yaqut, Indonesia is a very complex country, with a very diverse background of citizens. If not managed properly, this diversity is also prone to friction.

“I hope that the thoughts that Grand Shaikh Al Azhar brought to Indonesia can inspire in the application of religious moderation,” he said.

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