RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon held a dialogue with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, H.E. Oybek Eshonov, and the Governor of Samarkand, Adiz Boboev, on Monday, April 6, 2026. The meeting at the Ministry of Culture in Senayan focused on the ongoing revitalization of the Imam Bukhari Tomb and Mosque complex in Samarkand, a site deeply intertwined with Indonesian diplomatic history.

Minister Fadli highlighted that the complex serves as a silent witness to bilateral relations, noting that its initial restoration was famously prompted by a request from Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno.

"The Tomb of Imam Bukhari in Samarkand is a center of pilgrimage, history, and culture, and a representation of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Uzbekistan," he said as quoted by the ministry's official website.

Beyond spiritual heritage, the Minister proposed several modern cultural initiatives to bridge the two nations and modernize their diplomatic ties. With the Indonesian film industry currently reaching a market share of 67 percent and attracting 87 million viewers, the Minister advocated for historical co-productions through joint film projects focusing on their shared history.

Plans were also discussed for exchange programs, specifically residency initiatives involving artists, students, and cultural researchers from both countries. Additionally, the proposal included a series of cultural festivals designed to strengthen Indonesia's presence in Uzbekistan through religious music festivals and specialized historical tourism exhibitions.

The dialogue also touched upon the historical influence of Samarkand scholars in Indonesia, such as Maulana Malik Ibrahim (one of the Wali Songo). Governor Adiz Boboev welcomed the collaboration, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to maintaining these deep-rooted diplomatic and cultural bonds.

Closing the session, Minister Fadli expressed hope for expanded historical tourism. He suggested that beyond the Imam Bukhari complex, other sacred sites in Uzbekistan—such as the tombs of Imam Tirmidzi and the Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex, could become major destinations for Indonesian pilgrims, further uniting the two nations through faith and history. ***