RI pushes plan for OIC's Islamic village

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is proposing the creation of an international Islamic village, which will function as a cultural, education and economic center for member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The idea was introduced yesterday by Edi Kowara, head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (Kadin) Middle East Committee, during the fifth anniversary of the Jakarta-OIC Economic Consultative Forum.

At yesterday's luncheon, Edi called on the ambassadors of OIC member states to support the formation of an International Islamic Foundation, which would then establish the village.

The proposed village will have houses and buildings that have Islamic characteristics and designs. It will also be used for activities such as art and culture exhibitions, and for education, Edi said.

Muchrim Hakim, executive chairman of Kadin's Middle East Committee, revealed that two cities in West Java, Pandeglang, about 100 kilometers west of Jakarta, and Sukabumi, about 100 kilometers south of Jakarta, are being proposed for the site.

He said that Moslem conglomerates, along with the ambassadors of OIC states, would be the founders of the village, estimated to take up 500 hectares to 1,000 hectares of land.

"If Taman Mini has 27 houses, then this could have 52 houses," Muchrim said, comparing the Islamic Village, which would represent the 52 OIC members, to the Indonesia in Miniature Park (Taman Mini) in East Jakarta.

Muchrim hopes President Soeharto will announce the establishment of the village at the same time that Indonesia hosts the sixth Islamic Trade Fair in October 1996.

Separately, Palestine's ambassador to Jakarta Ribhi Y. Awad, said yesterday the village was "an ingenious and creative idea."

"In principle we are supporting, and we are with, this proposal," he said. (mds)