Tehran To Host Indonesia Culture Week In Mid-September

Tehran, Aug 17, IRNA – Iran will be hosting the Indonesia Culture Week from September 19th to 24th, Indonesian ambassador to Tehran, Dian Wirengjurit said Friday. Ambassador Wirengjurit made the remark in a meeting with the press at his residence, after congratulated the Muslims on the auspicious occasion of the Fitr Eid (marking the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan – last week). He also congratulated the Iranians on the occasion of electing President Hassan Rowhani in a free and fair, democratic election, which he said can be the beginning of a new chapter in the two countries bilateral ties. The Indonesian envoy also informed the press about a nationwide celebration in his country on the Occasion of the Indonesian National Day, August 17th, which has been celebrated in that Islamic country for many years, although at national level, announcing that as of this year Indonesia will also have diplomatic guest, hopefully also from Iran. Wirengjurit reiterated that the anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Day is of great significance for the Indonesians this year, since it coincides with coming to power of the new government. He referred to his country’s 1000 year old relations with Iran, noting, “We had always assumed that the Pakistani and Chinese merchants had introduced Islam to the Indonesians, but recently an ancient grave dating back to 1000 years ago with Persian inscriptions on the grave stone was discovered in our country.” He said that Indonesia is the largest Sunni Muslim country and Iran is the largest Shi’a Muslim country in the world, saying, “The western media’s efforts are aimed creating a deep gap between these two Islamic societies, but I believe the similarities and commonalties between our two counties bring us very close together.” The Indonesian ambassador said that holding the culture week of his country is aimed at further familiarizing of the Iranian nation with the culture and arts of our Islamic land. He added, “This festival will be held following the successful Iran Culture Week in Indonesia last year and the broad support offered free of charge to the Iranians at the time.” The relationship between Indonesia and Iran has been established for many centuries. Indonesian archipelago and Iran was connected through the maritime Silk Road of Indian Ocean trade networks that also has brought Islam to Indonesia. Some parts of Indonesia, such as Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and East Java record the visits and influences of Persian traders, scholars and Imams. There are small numbers of Indonesian Shi’a that mostly affiliate themselves with Iran. The trace of Iran influences is most evident in Persian loanwords absorbed in Indonesian languages, such as bandar, meydan, takhteh and qadar. In addition, within traditional to contemporary Indonesian Islamic art and architecture, the influence of Persian, Indian, and Mogul arts are evidence in some of Indonesian mosques. After the independence of Republic of Indonesia in 1945 and the acknowledgement of Indonesian sovereignty from the Netherlands in 1949, Iran and Indonesia promptly established official diplomatic relations in 1950. In 1955 Imperial State of Iran attended Asian–African Conference in Bandung, that later lead the way to the establishment of Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia under the regime of Sukarno followed an international relation that tended to be hostile to the West while Iran under the regime of Shah of Iran was favorable to the West. However, internal politics of both countries changed and shifted their relations relatively to the west. Under Suharto Indonesia developed a close relationship with the west whereas in contrast Iranian Revolution in 1979 brought Iran became anti-western. Therefore, since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 Indonesia was suspicious to Iran, fearing that it would export its revolutionary Islamic ideology to Indonesia and inspired religious-based revolution back home. Although possessing the world largest Muslim population, Indonesia is not an ideologically Islamic nation. The states national ideology also recognizes other five religions next to Islam, with religious tolerance, moderation, multiculturalism and pluralism being endorsed and nurtured. Indonesia also had thread carefully in its relations to Iran. Developing a close relationship with Iran was not a priority and deemed as unnecessary, in order not to encourage or incite radical fundamentalist Islamist elements in Indonesia. As a result, Indonesian people who were associated with Iran were under the government surveillance during Suharto's regime. Although both nations subscribing the Non-Aligned Movement in their foreign relations outlook, nevertheless throughout the 1980s, the relationship between Indonesia and Iran was influenced by the cold war between the US and Soviet. This relatively cold relations changed after the Reformation era prevailed in Indonesia in 1998. Indonesia no longer viewing Islamic Republic of Iran as an ideological foe, while Iran is reaching out for solidarity and supports among fellow Islamic majority countries. This democratic era in Indonesia enables the efforts on improving the quality of cooperation between Indonesia and Iran, through improving cultural and economic ties. Today, Indonesia and Iran have embarked on cooperation in various sectors, as both nations are keen to expand their bilateral ties./end