Minister Calls on University to Strengthen Communication with the Middle East

RRI.CO.ID, Depok - Religious Affairs Minister, Nasaruddin Umar, has called on the entire academic community of the University of Indonesia (UI) to keep strengthening ties and building a bridge of communication between Indonesia and Middle Eastern countries. The call was made in a statement received on Wednesday September 9, 2026, delivered during his keynote speech at the Grand Opening of the 2026 Middle East Festival at the Soe Hok Gie Auditorium, Building IX of University of Indonesia's Faculty of Humanities, in Depok.

In his remarks, the Minister expressed appreciation to the organizing committee for their hard work in making the festival a success. He said the event was not merely a gathering, but also a means of strengthening cooperation and building a communication bridge between Indonesia and the Middle East region.

The Grand Opening of the 2026 Middle East Festival was also attended by ambassadors and diplomats from Middle Eastern countries, the Dean of University of Indonesia's Faculty of Humanities, the Head of the Arabic Studies Program, the Chairman of the West Asian Family Association (IKABA), students, and other invited guests. The presence of these representatives from friendly nations underscored the significant attention given to Indonesia's relationship with the Middle Eastern world.

Carrying the theme "The Rise of the Middle East and the Future," the Minister said the festival carries a profound meaning amid the world's rapidly shifting landscape. He noted that the need to strengthen dialogue, communication, and the exchange of ideas between societies and civilizations is becoming increasingly urgent to pursue.

Furthermore, the Minister explained that Indonesia and the Middle East share a long and special relationship rooted in historical, cultural, and religious dimensions. He said this relationship has never been severed throughout history and has instead grown stronger over time, with tangible contributions in education, culture, trade, diplomacy, and civilizational exchange.

The Minister expressed high hopes for the younger generation through a series of events such as the Indonesia-Middle East Youth Summit, part of the festival's program. He urged participants to keep pursuing knowledge, mastering foreign languages, learning about diverse cultures, and building cooperative networks to help realize peace, moderation, and tolerance among nations.

He further expressed confidence that the various meetings and dialogues held during the festival would give rise to innovative ideas and beneficial projects for both Indonesia and Middle Eastern countries. He expressed hope that the event would further strengthen ties between the two regions in a spirit of peace and brotherhood.