Indonesia Seeks Direct Flights to Uzbekistan to Boost Religious Tourism, Bilateral Cooperation

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Ahmad Muzani has called for the launch of direct flights between Indonesia and Uzbekistan to promote religious tourism and strengthen bilateral relations between the two Muslim-majority nations.

Muzani made the proposal during a meeting with Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, in Uzbekistan on Monday, according to a statement issued in Jakarta.

He said direct air connectivity would make it easier for Indonesian pilgrims to visit the tomb of Imam Bukhari in Uzbekistan before continuing their Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

“Uzbekistan’s religious tourism potential holds great appeal for Indonesian pilgrims who want to visit Imam Bukhari’s tomb before embarking on Umrah. This means that before performing Umrah in Mecca and Medina, Indonesian pilgrims can transit in Uzbekistan,” Muzani said.

In addition to improving connectivity, the two parliamentary leaders discussed expanding cooperation in the halal industry, noting the significant opportunities available to both countries due to their large Muslim populations.

Muzani said the halal industry has evolved beyond serving religious requirements and has become a rapidly expanding global economic sector.

He noted that the global Muslim population is projected to account for nearly 30 percent of the world’s population by 2030, creating growing demand for products and services that comply with Sharia principles.

Expressing optimism about future collaboration, Muzani said Indonesia and Uzbekistan should strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships in the halal industry to capitalize on this expanding market.

The MPR speaker also highlighted the longstanding historical ties between the two countries, recalling the visit of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, who had expressed a strong desire to visit the tomb of Imam Bukhari.

“From that point onward, friendship and bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Uzbekistan have continued to thrive to the present day,” he said, expressing hope that relations would continue to expand in the fields of trade, tourism, investment and interparliamentary cooperation.