RRI.CO.ID, Cairo – The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia has established cooperation with several publishing and distribution institutions in Egypt during the activities at the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) 2026 in Egypt. The Ministry stated on its official website on Monday, 2 February 2026.

The cooperation represents a strategic step by Indonesia to strengthen Islamic literacy at the global level. The Head of the Qur’an Printing Unit (UPQ) of the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ismail Nur, stated that at the international event, UPQ signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with four Egyptian partners: United Egypt Company for Trading and Individual Investment, Aldiplomasy.com (Arabic–English Editions), Dar-Mobdioun for Publishing and Distribution, and the United Arab Foundation.

“All of these MoUs share the same substance of cooperation, covering the fields of printing, publishing, and distribution of the Qur’an, as well as strengthening Islamic literacy and thought,” Ismail Nur stated in Cairo on Sunday, 1 February 2026.

According to him, the cooperation focuses not only on the production and distribution of Qur’an manuscripts, but is also directed toward fostering global partnerships in disseminating Qur’anic literacy, religious education, and strengthening moderate Islamic thought.

“Through this cooperation, we aim to expand access for the Egyptian public and surrounding regions to high-quality, authentic, and verified Indonesian Qur’an manuscripts, while at the same time strengthening Indonesia’s role as a global actor in Qur’anic diplomacy,” he conveyed.

He added that the MoUs also creates opportunities for civilizational dialogue through the organization of book and Qur’an manuscript exhibitions, international seminars, and cross-country academic forums. Thus, this cooperation is expected to become a platform for exchanging ideas, expertise, and experiences among countries in the development of global Islamic literacy.

The MoUs were signed in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, on 29 January 2026, and are valid for three years starting in 2026, with the possibility of extension based on written agreement by the parties.

Ismail emphasized that the signing of these MoUs holds significant importance for UPQ and Indonesia. In addition to serving as a foundation for international cooperation in the Middle East region, this step also strengthens Indonesia’s position as a reference center for professional, internationally standardized Qur’an printing.

“This cooperation opens official and sustainable distribution channels for Indonesian Qur’an manuscripts in Egypt, which we hope can become a gateway for the development of further cooperation, whether through joint programs, international exhibitions, or exchanges of expertise in Qur’an printing,” he said.

Furthermore, Ismail hopes that the MoUs can be implemented concretely through sustainable Qur’an publishing and distribution programs, while also building a long-term cooperation ecosystem between UPQ and its partners in Egypt. “We hope that Indonesia’s contribution to strengthening global Qur’anic literacy will continue to increase, while also opening opportunities for cooperation with Islamic institutions in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe,” Ismail stated.

He also stressed the importance of UPQ’s role as an international role model in accountable and professional governance of Qur’an printing and distribution, as well as in strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to Islamic literacy, culture, and the development of moderate Islamic thought at the global level.