Indonesia and Croatia Strengthen Ties: Fostering Peace and Halal Industry Development
Diorama Hall, UIN News Online — UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta warmly welcomed Sheikh Dr. Aziz E. Hasanovic, Grand Mufti of Croatia, on Tuesday (19/11/2024) as part of efforts to enhance diplomatic and cultural ties between Indonesia and Croatia. During his visit, Sheikh Hasanovic delivered a lecture titled "The Role of Islam in Building Peace in Europe: A Croatian Perspective."
The event, held at the Diorama Hall, was attended by H.E. Nebojša Koharović, Croatia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, and H.E. Suwartini Wirta, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Croatia, along with prominent members of UIN Jakarta’s academic community, including Vice Rectors Prof. Ali Munhanif, M.A., Ph.D., and Din Wahid, M.A., Ph.D.
In his opening remarks, Vice Rector Din Wahid expressed appreciation for Sheikh Hasanovic’s visit and his dedication to promoting tolerance and understanding in global forums. “The Grand Mufti’s presence here demonstrates the strong relationship between Indonesia and Croatia, built on shared values of peace and interfaith harmony,” he said.
Ambassador Suwartini Wirta emphasized that the visit is a continuation of Croatia’s growing engagement with Indonesia. “This initiative is part of the Grand Mufti’s mission to exchange knowledge and experience in areas such as religious empowerment, combating extremism, and halal industry development,” she explained.
Ambassador Wirta highlighted Indonesia’s significant role in promoting interfaith dialogue and tolerance, positioning the country as a model for peaceful coexistence. “Indonesia’s leadership in fostering harmony among diverse communities is an inspiration for Croatia and many other nations,” she stated.
The Ambassador also acknowledged Indonesia’s contributions to the global halal industry. “Croatia sees Indonesia as a key partner in advancing halal certification and expanding its reach in Europe, taking cues from Indonesia’s expertise and experience,” she added.
Sheikh Hasanovic shared insights into Croatia’s approach to empowering its Muslim community. He noted that Croatia officially recognized Islam as a religion in 1916, making it one of the first European countries to do so.
“The Islamic Community of Croatia, which I represent, is dedicated to ensuring the rights of Muslims and fostering peaceful coexistence. Indonesia’s experience offers valuable lessons for us to build on these efforts,” Sheikh Hasanovic remarked.
The event underscored the potential for collaboration between Indonesia and Croatia in education, interfaith initiatives, and economic ventures, particularly the halal industry. The Grand Mufti expressed optimism about the future of this partnership, stating, “Together, Indonesia and Croatia can set an example of how diverse nations can work towards shared goals of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect.”
As a respected figure in Croatia, Sheikh Hasanovic’s views hold significant weight in the country’s policymaking circles. His visit to Indonesia symbolizes a deepening relationship between the two nations, rooted in mutual understanding and shared aspirations.
The lecture concluded with a commitment from both parties to explore more avenues for cooperation and to continue fostering ties that benefit not only their respective nations but the global community at large. (Aji Pangestu/Fauziah M./Syarifah Nur K./Photos: M. Fahri Afrizal, Hermanudin)
Event documentation:
