Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, has been ramping up efforts to foster closer ties with other nations and expand its religious diplomacy. In this light, recent reports suggest that the country is exploring potential areas of cooperation with Algeria, a North African country with a majority Muslim population. With Indonesia’s strong emphasis on mutual respect and understanding between various religious communities, such a partnership could hold immense potential for furthering interfaith dialogue and cooperation on a global scale. In this article, we examine the possibilities and implications of such a collaboration and its potential impact on Indonesia’s role in the Muslim world.
Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry is seeking to expand cooperation in the religious sector with Algeria. The collaboration could include the development of mosques and halal product certification. This decision was made after a meeting between the Indonesian Ambassador to Algeria, Chalief Akbar, and the ministry’s secretary general, Nizar Ali, at the ministry’s office in Jakarta. The ambassador is optimistic about the potential for successful cooperation, and the ministry is keen to expand cooperation with Algeria in education and religious sectors, such as the development of Islamic boarding schools, Islamic schools, and Islamic universities.
The cooperation in halal product certification will align with the ministry’s aim to advance halal certification in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population. By becoming a global halal industry centre, Indonesia can boost its economy and create job opportunities for its citizens.
In addition to developing mosques and halal certification, cooperation in the religious education sector is also being proposed. Indonesia is considering offering student and lecturer exchange programmes with Algeria, which would benefit both countries. The country’s International Islamic University (UIII) is well-equipped to engage in cooperation with universities in Algeria.
The planned cooperation enhancement between the two countries is being welcomed by the ministry’s secretary general. Ali believes that the exchange programmes proposed by Indonesia will strengthen relations and advance both countries in religious and educational sectors.
Indonesia and Algeria have already collaborated on a variety of sectors, including infrastructure. The proposed collaboration in the religious sector is a testament to the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. As Indonesia seeks to increase its exports to Algeria, the expansion of cooperation in the religious sector will offer opportunities for Muslim consumers in Algeria to access halal-certified products from Indonesia.
In conclusion, the Religious Affairs Ministry’s exploration of the expansion of cooperation in the religious sector with Algeria showcases Indonesia’s commitment to advancing Islam not only within the country but also globally. By collaborating with Algeria in the development of mosques, halal certification and religious education, both countries can reap several benefits, such as the proliferation of Islamic education and products, economic growth, and job creation. The exchange programmes proposed by Indonesia are also an excellent opportunity for both countries to strengthen relations and advance the Islamic world’s progress.
