Jokowi and Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Address Extremism and Islamophobia
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomed the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Imam Akbar Ahmed Al Tayeb, for a state visit at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday. This visit is part of the Grand Sheikh's Southeast Asia tour, which also includes stops in Malaysia and Thailand.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained that this is the Grand Sheikh's third visit to Indonesia, following his previous visits in 2016 and 2018. The main purpose of his visit is to promote moderate Islam and interfaith dialogue.
“During the meeting, the President mentioned that the Grand Sheikh’s visit, and later—God willing, in September—the visit of the Pope, will convey a very strong message about the importance of peace and tolerance,” said Foreign Minister Retno on Tuesday.
Pope Francis is scheduled for a Sept. 2-13 trip to Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. In Jakarta, he’ll preside over an interfaith meeting at the capital’s Istiqlal Mosque, expected to be attended by leaders of the six religions in Indonesia that are officially recognized and protected: Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism..