Foreign Minister Retno Invites Muslim Russia Spread Value of Peace

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi invites Muslims in Russia to share peace and tolerance values.

The Indonesian embassy in Moscow welcomed the visit to Moscow's Grand Mosque and met with Deputy Chairman of the Mezelis Muslim Federation of Russia Damir Gizatullin at Moscow's Grand Mosque on Monday (12/3).

"Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world and Muslims in Russia are also quite a lot, so it would be good if the relationship could be improved and equally disseminating the values ​​of peace and telegraphy that are currently needed," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

Meanwhile, Damir Gizatullin highly appreciated the visit of the Indonesian Foreign Minister who is also one of Indonesia's top officials.

"It is an honor for us to receive this visit and perhaps a second visit from Indonesia to the mosque after President Soekarno in 1956," Gizatullin said.

According to Gizatullin, many things can be co-operated with Indonesia in the religious field because Indonesia has a lot of experience in the field, such as education, banking and haj management.

"We made several pilgrimages to the Holy Land and met with the pilgrims from Indonesia, we are very impressed because they are very well coordinated and we want to learn from Indonesia how to manage the hajj well," he said.

Russia is one of the countries with the largest population of muslin in Europe which reaches about 25 million people. The Grand Mosque of Moscow is one of the largest mosques not only in Russia but also in Europe.

The mosque was first built in 1904. To accommodate the growing congregation, the mosque was demolished and rebuilt in 2011 and its official opening took place in September 2015 attended by President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.

The 18,900 square meter mosque with six floors can accommodate about 10,000 worshipers. But during the celebration of religious holidays, such as Idul Fitri and Idul Adha, the number of pilgrims present could reach 15,000 people. (Ant)