TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Religious Affairs Ministry is exploring expanding cooperation in the religious sector with Algeria, with which Indonesia has already collaborated in various sectors.

The cooperation in the religious sector will range from mosque development to halal product certification.

The decision to explore such cooperation was made after a meeting between the Indonesian Ambassador to Algeria Chalief Akbar and the ministry's secretary general Nizar Ali at the ministry’s office here on Wednesday.

"We hope the cooperation can be implemented soon and will proceed well," Akbar said, according to a statement issued here the same day.

The ministry is keen to expand ongoing cooperation with Algeria, mainly in the education and religious sectors, such as in the development of Islamic boarding schools, Islamic schools, and Islamic universities, he informed.

The ambassador also pointed out that the cooperation in halal product certification will be in line with the ministry's determination to advance halal certification to develop Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population, as a global halal industry center.

Meanwhile, Ali said he welcomed the proposed enhancement of bilateral cooperation with Algeria.

"We welcome the planned cooperation advancement with open arms," he said.

Concerning cooperation in the religious education sector, Indonesia can propose student and lecturer exchange programs with Algeria, he added.

"For instance, we have the Indonesia International Islamic University (UIII), which can engage in cooperation with universities in Algeria," the ministry’s secretary general said.

ANTARA

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