Indonesian imams arrive to serve in the UAE

More than a dozen imams from Indonesia have arrived in the UAE to serve in mosques.

The 15 are the first of 28 selected in March by the UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

Eight more are expected to arrive by the middle of the month.

The Imams From Indonesia programme was agreed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia, who visited Abu Dhabi in January last year.

In total, more than 200 imams will serve in the UAE by the end of 2022.

Husin Bagis, Indonesian ambassador to the UAE, said he was pleased the first imams had arrived.

“The co-operation in sending imams is another proof of the close relationship of the two countries, which is not only focused on economic co-operation,” he said.

Organisers hope the programme will encourage mutual understanding and promote moderate teaching of Islam.

“The imams from Indonesia can learn how Islam is carried out in the UAE with full tolerance, and [how to] contribute to the creation of peace in society, without causing any friction,” Mr Bagis said.

“When they return to Indonesia, they can implement and promote the same thing.”

Another set of interviews for imams took place in October in Jakarta, with representatives from Awqaf collaborating with the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs to select candidates.

Of 89 who applied, 23 were selected and are being assessed by UAE authorities.

They are likely to arrive in the UAE next month.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Widodo are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

Mr Widodo is scheduled to join Indonesia’s National Day celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai, which take place on Thursday.