Jordan Seeks Tourism Coop With Indonesia

Jakarta, April 23 (Antara) - Jordan has offered cooperation with Indonesia in religious tourism in view of the big interest of Indonesians to see historic Islamic religious sites in that country. Prof Dr Abdul Salam Al Abbadi, Jordan`s former minister of endowment and Islamic affairs, made the offer at a press conference here on Tuesday after the opening of a conference on Islam by Indonesia`s religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali here on Tuesday. In view of the big interest of Indonesians to visit Jordan which has a lot of historic Islamic sites he said it would be better if Indonesian hajj pilgrims could be organized to visit Jordan after conducting pilgrimage. He explained the King of Jordan would also be ready to facilitate them if they wished to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third Islam holiest place after the Al-Haram and Nabawi Mosques in Saudi Arabia. So, he hoped Indonesia could prepare a better tourism program to Jordan and "we are ready to give facilities." Minister Suryadharma Ali on the occasion expressed appreciation to the Jordanian Kingdom that has taken care of the historical places in that country. He said Indonesian Muslims did have a big interest in the Islamic historic places in the Middle East including Jordan. They have even been informed about the places since they are studying at Islamic boarding schools. He said he would seek efforts for the creation of the program.