Saudi Arabia hosts joint iftars and distributes dates across Indonesia throughout Ramadan
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta has launched the Joint Iftar Programme and the gift of dates from King Salman for Muslims in various cities across Indonesia throughout the month of Ramadan.
“This programme will be held in multiple cities and regions in Indonesia for the entire month of Ramadan,” said the Saudi Ambassador to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi, after inaugurating the programme at the Saudi Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday.
Ambassador Al-Amudi stated that the programme was launched under the instructions of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.
The programme is held not only in Jakarta but also in cities such as Surabaya, Padang, Bogor, Kendari, and Makassar, as well as on campuses including the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok and the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah in Ciputat.
A total of 40,000 food packages will be distributed during the programme, along with 40 metric tonnes of dates.
The ambassador emphasised that the programme is part of the gift that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wish to share with all Muslims worldwide, especially those in Indonesia.
“Once again, on behalf of the Saudi Ambassador, I wish you a blessed Ramadan. We hope that Indonesian Muslims can observe the fast peacefully and fully,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Cholil Nafis, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), expressed his appreciation for the programme’s launch.
“I welcome this initiative. It is a strong demonstration of brotherhood between Indonesia and the government of Saudi Arabia,” Nafis said.
He added that he hopes the programme will further strengthen the ties between the people of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
“Hopefully, this programme will enhance our worship and serve as a means of strengthening the brotherhood between Indonesia and the Saudi government,” he said.
Previously, on 11 February, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KS Relief) distributed a gift of 100 tonnes of dates from King Salman bin Abdulaziz to the Indonesian people through the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.
On 12 February, the embassy also handed over food aid worth IDR 7 billion (approximately US$414,000) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) for distribution to Indonesians across several provinces.