The UAE's aid, valued at 1.59 billion rupiahs, was provided for approximately 29,900 fast-breaking (iftar) menu packages for Mudlims at Istqlal Mosque in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta over five days, from March 6 to 10, 2026.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Red Crescent, in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Indonesia, has distributed 1.59 billion rupiahs in aid to the Istiqlal Mosque Management Agency to provide iftar meals for Muslims during Ramadan 1447 Hijri.

*1 U.S. dollar = 16,955 rupiahs

The aid was used to provide approximately 29,900 iftar menu packages that was distributed to the congregation of the Istiqlal Mosque for five days, from March 6 to 10, 2026.

The handover of aid was carried out symbolically at the Arrazak Hall of the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, on Saturday (March 7), said a press statement from the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, Monday.

Head of the ASEAN Section of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, Matar Ali Al Mansouri, who represented the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Aldhaheri, said the aid was part of the UAE government's humanitarian commitment as well as a form of concern for the Indonesian people.

“Our meeting today in this blessed place reflects the noble values ​​of Islamic brotherhood and social solidarity strengthened by the holy month of Ramadan. In it there is a spirit of cooperation in goodness and piety, as well as concern for others," Matar said.

He added that cooperation between the UAE and Indonesia in the humanitarian field is based on mutually complementary shared values.

“The humanitarian heritage of the United Arab Emirates combined with the spirit of mutual cooperation of the Indonesian people, gives rise to mutually reinforcing collaboration in various social activities," he said.

According to Matar, the UAE is globally known as one of the largest donors of foreign aid compared to its national income.

Since its establishment in 1971 until mid-2024, the UAE's total foreign aid was recorded at around 360 billion dirhams or the equivalent of 98 billion US dollars.

He also emphasized that the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the UAE, which have been established since 1976, continue to grow, including through various collaborations in the humanitarian and social fields.

Some of these include the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Solo coty, Central Java province, and humanitarian aid such as the shipment of 30 tons of dates to Indonesia this year.

“We are honored to continue to stand with the friendly people of Indonesia and will always support various humanitarian efforts, as we have done during various health crises and natural disasters in recent years," Matar said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Amaliah Ramadan Istiqlal Mosque who is also the Head of the BPMI Worship Organizing Division, KH Bukhori Sail Attahiri, expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the UAE government to the Istiqlal Mosque congregation. 

“We express our deepest gratitude to the government of the United Arab Emirates, especially through the UAE Embassy in Jakarta and Ambassador Abdulla Salem Aldhaheri for the assistance provided to the Istiqlal Mosque congregation," KH Bukhori said.

He hoped that friendly relations between Indonesia and the UAE would continue to develop and become stronger in the future.

"Hopefully the United Arab Emirates will become more advanced, strong and prosperous, as will Indonesia. May all of our fasting be accepted by Allah Subhanallahu W Ta’ala,” he added. 

Reporting by Indonesia Window