VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The President of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Affairs, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman As-Sudais, said that the Indonesian language is used in the book of Khutbahs (sermons) of the holy mosques of Haramain. Sheikh As-Sudais said in Mecca on Sunday (25/2), that Indonesian language is very important in the world, and this is the holy mosque duty to use it to send messages of khutbahs in Haramain to the ummah (followers). The holy mosques use different languages as a means of spreading Prophet Muhammad`s messages which are universal in nature and it is also in line with Saudi government`s effort to go universally in the implementation of its vision 2030. The languages are used with new technology in order that the messages can be learned internationally, the president of the Grand Holy Mosque and the Prophet`s Mosque Affairs told visiting Indonesian senior journalists from Antara News Agency, the Jakarta Post and Republika. He is aware that it is now the era of media which use languages as a means of delivering messages to the public, especially their audiences both nationally and internationally. (Antara)

Indonesian Communication and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara targets all regencies/cities across Indonesia to be connected by high-speed internet by 2019, so everyone can access information anywhere The minister said in Yogyakarta on Sunday(25/2) that the government sides with the people and by 2019 all regencies/cities in Indonesia will be connected by high-speed internet backbone. Minister stated that information supported by high-speed internet is a must in this day and age as information media is shifted from print, electronic and television to online and social media. Minister Rudiantara mentioned that almost 90 percent of regencies/cities in Indonesia are connected by the internet, so by 2019 he expects supporting infrastructure of information technology will be ready. He added, there are 30 regencies/cities in Papua and West Papua that didn’t have high-speed internet backbone infrastructure and government has built such infrastructure there. (Antara)

President Joko Widodo officially opened the 2018 Presidential Cup Sholawat Nusantara Festival on Saturday at Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor, West Java. In his remarks, the President welcomed the Festival as a starting point for Muslim community for conducting positive acts both in for the nation and State. The President further hoped that the Festival will play its role to maintain nation’s unity, not only among Muslims, but also in maintaining inter-religious harmony within the country.

 “By saying Bismillah, let us start things positively. With Sholawat, let us bring together brotherhood, unity, and harmony between us. Let's start with the good things. With God's permission, let us do the good things. Positive thinking, mutual respect, and continue to always uphold the values ​​of religion, upholding the values ​​of ethics, values ​​of character,” the President said in his remarks.

Sholawat Nusantara Festival is held with the theme of Love the Prophet. The initiator of the festival, Nusron Wahid said that this festival is intended to take care of tradition and local wisdom, as well as to revive the wealth of the Archipelagic Islam.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Committee, Abdul Gofar Rozin Sahal, said in festival is held throughout the archipelago from village to urban areas. He mentioned that the participants are not required present sholawat in Arabic language as they are able to present it in Indonesian and local languages. Sholawat Nusantara Festival is participated in by various study groups, Islamic Boarding Schools, and students, even study groups in offices, State-Owned Enterprises, and various religious organizations in the community. The peak of the celebration is scheduled to be held at the same time with National Islamic Students day celebration on October 22nd. (VOI/Ndy/ahm)

The Opening of Yogyakarta Chinese Cultural Festival Week 2018 succedeed to attract many tourists. In his speech at the event, Yogyakarta Special Region Governor, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X (10th), said this activity proves if tolerance still exist in Yogyakarta. Chairman of the Yogyakarta Chinese Cultural Festival Week, Tri Kirana Muslidatun, in Yogyakarta, Saturday (24/2) said, based on data, the number of tourists who attended the opening held at Jalan Malioboro, Ketandan Village, and the North Square palace reached 50,000. He explained, the number wasin line with target. As reported by the Ministry of Tourism official website, although a part of the celebration of Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh, the culture of the archipelago is featured in the festival. One of the attractions that attract attention is the action of dance group Praginagong Yogyakarta. According to the Head of Marketing Area I Java, Wawan Gunawan, it needs seriousness to work on this event to be a tourism event, by prioritizing the needed criteria in organizing an event. It aims to make the event as national or even international event. (Kemenpar)