Indonesia Explores Religious Diplomacy with 12 Partner Nations

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is expanding its religious diplomacy outreach, engaging 12 foreign embassies in Jakarta to explore deeper international cooperation across a wide range of Islamic affairs.

The Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance (Bimas Islam) at the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry convened a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Strengthening International Partnerships on Thursday, February 12, 2026, held to examine ten potential areas of strategic cooperation in religious affairs.

The participating embassies represent Egypt, Afghanistan, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Pakistan, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran.

Director General of Bimas Islam Abu Rokhmad emphasized that cross-border collaboration is essential to strengthening religious diplomacy while supporting the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ priority programs.

“We hope this focus group discussion provides insights and input from friendly countries, ranging from religious services and the organization of Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran to cooperation in zakat and waqf,” Abu Rokhmad said, as quoted on the ministry's official website.

“Today is a very good opportunity to clearly discuss potential cooperation for the coming years. We hope this discussion will produce concrete recommendations that we can follow up together,” he added.

Bimas Islam Secretary Lubenah noted that the FGD serves as a coordination platform between the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and foreign representatives to explore and strengthen international cooperation in religious affairs.

“Religious diplomacy is viewed not only as a means of religious outreach, but also as a medium for dialogue and cross-country collaboration encompassing social, cultural, and educational aspects,” Lubenah said.

The forum identified ten key areas of cooperation: religious services for Indonesian diaspora abroad; strengthening mosque management across nations; collaboration in zakat and waqf; expanding religious counseling programs; organizing international Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran; hosting international Islamic seminars; exchange of preachers and khatibs; promoting Islamic cultural diplomacy; cooperation in hisab and rukyat (Islamic astronomy); and integrating eco-theological values into environmental protection. ***