Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar on Wednesday received 100 tons of dates from King Salman of Saudi Arabia, which are intended for the Indonesian people ahead of Ramadan.
"This year we received the highest quality dates, approximately 100-90 tons," said the minister at the handover ceremony at the ministry, here on Wednesday.
The minister, representing the Indonesian people, expressed his gratitude to the Saudi Arabian Government for the assistance and promised to distribute the aid to those who deserve it.
"The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia expresses its deepest gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which annually allocates date aid. We will certainly distribute it to those who most deserve it," he said.
The minister believes that dates, especially those from Saudi Arabia, have spiritual value and a special place in the hearts of Indonesians.
"Indonesians assume that dates are a food to break the fast. Therefore, in Indonesian society, fasting doesn't feel special if you don't break the fast with dates," he said.
The minister added that this year, date aid from Saudi Arabia will also be distributed to the new capital in East Kalimantan.
"We've communicated with the head of the authority. And we hope we'll also allocate some to the new capital," he said.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi, said that this aid was in line with the direct instructions of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, as well as Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
"This assistance confirms the strong relationship between Indonesia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has now reached a strategic level," he said.
The assistance also serves to emphasize the deep ties between the two governments.
The ambassador hopes that the distribution of dates will meet the needs of Muslims in Indonesia and that they can welcome Ramadan with joy.
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This news was published on Antaranews.com with a title: Religious minister receives 100 tons of Saudi's dates for RI's people
