Meeting Grand Mufti of Uzbekistan, MPR Speaker Discusses Tolerant Islam and Unity

People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani, along with an MPR delegation and Indonesian Islamic scholars, met with the Grand Mufti of Uzbekistan, Sheikh Nuriddin Khaliqnazarov, at the Islamic Center Museum complex in Tashkent. Muzani expressed views on the tolerant Islam and unity that have grown and developed in Indonesia. The meeting took place on Tuesday (30/6/2026), with Muzani thanking the Uzbek government, parliament, and Grand Mufti Nuriddin for their warm reception of the Indonesian delegation. Muzani noted that the friendship between Indonesia and Uzbekistan was forged hundreds of years ago when Sheikh Maulana Malik Ibrahim, also known as Sunan Gresik, travelled to Indonesia to spread Islam. ‘In the 15th century, a prominent scholar, Sheikh Maulana Malik Ibrahim from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, came to Indonesia to spread Islam in Java. So our heart-to-heart connection has been intertwined since the 15th century. That is why Indonesia and Uzbekistan feel so close at heart, even though we are far apart in distance, we are like brothers,’ Muzani said. He added that the friendship was rekindled by President Sukarno when he wished to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Imam Bukhari. That moment became a history always remembered by the people of Uzbekistan and Indonesia. ‘The friendship between Indonesia and Uzbekistan was rewoven by President Sukarno during his pilgrimage to the tomb of Imam Bukhari. This historic moment has been recorded and is always remembered in the hearts of the Uzbek people, and it is also a source of pride for the Indonesian nation. Because of Bung Karno’s pilgrimage visit, the tomb of Imam Bukhari was reopened for pilgrims from around the world,’ Muzani stated. Before the Grand Mufti, Muzani explained that his current visit included Indonesian scholars comprising leaders of Islamic mass organisations and heads of Islamic boarding schools. He noted that while Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, it is also highly diverse, and religious differences do not hinder the nation from remaining united. ‘What unites us is Pancasila. Pancasila is the state ideology that also serves as a unifier of the many differences in religion, ethnicity, language, and race. Furthermore, in Indonesia we are also taught about Islam rahmatan lil alamin, which teaches us the importance of practising religion while respecting the diverse religious differences in Indonesia,’ Muzani said. Muzani also responded positively to the Uzbek government’s invitation for cooperation regarding Umrah plus packages via Uzbekistan, noting that religious tourism potential in Uzbekistan is also of interest to Indonesian pilgrims. ‘The Umrah plus Uzbekistan offer is an attractive religious tourism business proposal for us. However, the problem is there are no direct flights from Tashkent to Jakarta and vice versa. We have spoken with officials and travel businesspeople in Indonesia so that this flight route can be revived,’ Muzani concluded.