TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Saudi Arabian Ambassador Faisal Abdullah Al Amudi discussed several new bilateral projects between the two countries, one of them is the plan to build an Al-Quran Printing House.

"This is important to support the high need for the Quran for the people of Indonesia. We know the quality of the Saudi Quran printing is very good,” said Yaqut in the meeting held at the house of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 18.

However, the location for the future construction of the building is still unknown. Ambassador Faisal said that he would discuss that matter with the Islamic Affairs Minister of Saudi Arabia.

As the envoy of the Saudi government, Faisal emphasized his support for the programs that will strengthen the relationship between the two countries. "After this meeting, I will follow up [the discussion] with the related authorities in Saudi. Both in several programs and those related to Hajj and trade relations," he said.

Other than the printing house project, both officials also talked about other issues such as the hajj fast track program. Fast Track is the program of other countries with Saudi Arabia to fast-track hajj pilgrims' arrival.

The fast track facility is currently only available at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Yaqut did mention that Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfiq F Al-Rabihah stated that his country only provides one fast-track facility for one country.

But considering Indonesia's huge number of pilgrims, even the largest, Yaqut hopes that it at least gets another or two other fast-track facilities. The minister said that his side is coordinating with state airport operator Angkasa Pura II in order to be able to move the fast track facility from Soekarno-Hatta Airport's Terminal II to a bigger area at Terminal III.

Fajar Pebrianto

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