Saudi Arabia Distributes Iftar Packages, Calls Indonesian Muslims "the Best"

The Head of the Religious Attache at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ahmed bin Essa Al-Hazmi, called Indonesian Muslims the “best community” chosen by King Salman to receive gifts of dates and iftar packages.

He made the remarks while distributing 2,000 iftar packages at the Istiqlal Mosque on Thursday, 19 February.

“We are providing 2,000 iftar meal packages for you from King Salman. We are also distributing dates through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as you are among those selected by King Salman as the best members of the community,” he said.

Sheikh Ahmed added that the programme is part of the Joint Iftar Programme, launched under the direction of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud for Muslims in several countries, especially Indonesia.

The programme was also held in a number of locations, including campuses such as the University of Indonesia and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah.

In total, 40,000 food packages and 40 metric tonnes of dates were prepared during the programme throughout Ramadan.

On the same occasion, Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar expressed his gratitude for the assistance.

“Let us pray that Allah grants long life and good health to the King of Saudi Arabia and his family, as well as to the Saudi Embassy in Indonesia and the Saudi Attache, who respects the Istiqlal Mosque,” he said.

Previously, the embassy and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KS Relief) distributed 100 tonnes of dates through Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also provided food aid worth Rp7 billion (approximately US$414,000) to Baznas for distribution to communities across several provinces.