Indonesia, Morocco Plan Cultural Festival with Joint Performances

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia Redouane Houssaini emphasized the importance of culture as a means of strengthening peace, stability, and people-to-people ties between Indonesia and Morocco. Responding to Culture Minister Fadli Zon’s statement that Morocco’s Andalusian music shares similarities with Indonesia’s gambus and qasidah traditions, Houssaini said the two countries share many common values, including respect for cultural civilization and a modern, open, and tolerant Islam.

"So we have agreed to work together in order to develop exchange in the field of culture between our two countries. As I explained, we are geographically very far from each other, but still we have some shared values in believing in dialogue, peaceful settlement of disputes, tolerant Islam, and also we have a rich and historic culture between our two countries," he told Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

He also said that these cultural assets could be utilized to strengthen not only economic and trade cooperation, but also people-to-people connections.

"So how to use these assets in order to promote not only economy but also trade and people-to-people connection," he said.

As part of these efforts, Houssaini said Morocco and Indonesia are planning a number of cultural events at the end of 2026 featuring traditional Moroccan music.

"Many musicians will be coming at the end of the year to have one big cultural event just to share with Indonesia and also we will have musicians from Indonesia playing together," he added.

According to him, the collaboration reflects the close relationship between the two countries and demonstrates the role that culture and music can play in strengthening ties between nations.