Indonesia-Saudi cultural show held at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta

A cultural exhibition titled ‘Indonesia-Saudi Brotherhood Bridge Exhibition’ is taking place at the Istiqlal Mosque complex, Jakarta, April 24 – May 3, 2025.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The government of Indonesia and the government of Saudi Arabia are collaborating to hold a cultural exhibition titled ‘Indonesia-Saudi Brotherhood Bridge Exhibition’.

The cultural exhibition is scheduled to take place at the Istiqlal Mosque complex, in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, April 24 – May 3, 2025, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Friday.

The the cultural and religious exhibition is open to the public and free of charge. Every Saturday to Thursday, the exhibition is open from 10:00–19:00 local time. On Fridays, the exhibition is open from 09:00–20:00.

Representing Indonesia, the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs acts as the implementing authority in the event.

The exhibition was opened by the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, who is also the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, the Director of Islamic Religious Information, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ahmad Zayadi, said here, Thursday (April24).

Ahmad Zayadi explained that the exhibition, which is a cultural showcase to introduce the rich heritage of Islam and Saudi Arabia, is also a bridge of diplomacy that builds harmony of the two countries through cultural channels and religious values.

“Through this exhibition, we are not only displaying the treasures of Islamic and Saudi Arabian culture, but also strengthening Indonesia’s position as a strategic partner in building the two countries’ diplomacy that enriches each other,” he explained.

According to him, this moment is one of the concrete forms of soft diplomacy based on the heritage of rich values, culture, manuscripts, and architectural art, as well as becoming a model for inclusive and transformative future culture.

“We show the world that religion and culture are not only legacies of the past, but strategic foundations for building future civilization,”  Zayadi said.

He pointed out that, in the midst of the current of globalization that tends to erode identity, a cultural approach is an effective instrument to maintain social harmony and strengthen global cohesion in a peaceful and dignified manner.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is widely known as the guardian of the two holy cities and the heir to the deep Islamic tradition. Its position in the Islamic world makes it a center of civilization that is inseparable from the history and development of the people’s culture,” he noted.

The ministry’s Head of the Sub-Directorate of Islamic Community Partnership, Ali Sibromalisi, said that this collaboration is a concrete form of cultural diplomacy that emphasizes the importance of dialogue, openness, and strengthens the role of religion in building a global society that respects each other.

Ali invited the Indonesian people and international tourists to come and witness closely the various attractions in the exhibition, while hoping that the activity would be the beginning of increasingly strong cultural and religious relations between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

“We want the public to feel that culture is a spiritual and social bridge that unites, not divides. Hopefully this exhibition would be a gateway for broader collaboration in the future,” Ali hoped.

At the exhibition, visitors can enjoy miniatures of the two holy mosques, virtual visits to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, rare manuscripts, the process of writing the Quran, education about the Kaaba, and interesting activities such as Arabic calligraphy, correcting the reading of Al-Fatihah, and typical Saudi Arabian dishes.

“This exhibition is also designed to be child-friendly and educational. We also prepare many attractive prizes and Quran manuscripts for visitors,” he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window