Religious minister to visit Middle East

Religious minister to visit Middle East

JAKARTA: Minister of Religious Affairs M. Maftuh Basyuni will
visit three countries in North Africa and the Middle East,
including a trip to Yemen to meet with Indonesian students there.

Maftuh said on Thursday he would begin his trip in Yemen from
August 2 to August 5, before attending a three-day international
conference in Saudi Arabia until August 8.

On August 9, the minister will begin a three-day visit to
Algeria, where he will attend official meetings.

"I want to meet with Indonesian students in Yemen. We have
very close relations with Yemen and a lot of Indonesian students
are studying in Yemen's Islamic boarding schools," Maftuh said
after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss
the overseas trip. --JP