The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Solo, Indonesia celebrated the 54th Eid Al Etihad with a five-day cultural festival that reinforced the longstanding ties between the UAE and Indonesia.
The event was attended by former President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, alongside Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and ASEAN, and Dr. Sultan Al Rumaithi, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Solo, as well as several senior officials.
The programme highlighted the UAE’s rich heritage through traditional Emirati performances, including Al Ayyala, Al Harbiya, and Al Azi, captivating audiences and showcasing the cultural links between the Emirati and Indonesian peoples.
Attendees also experienced Emirati culinary traditions with a selection of traditional dishes such as Raqaq, Chebab, Mahala, and Khameer, providing insight into the UAE’s cultural and culinary legacy.
Demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to family stability and social welfare, the centre hosted Solo’s first-ever collective wedding ceremony. Six couples, aged between 23 and 64, celebrated their marriages alongside families from Solo and neighboring communities. The initiative offered financial support to the newlyweds and promoted family cohesion in the region.
The festival also featured workshops and activities for participants of all ages. These included educational toy-making and storytelling sessions for children, traditional “Tatah Sungging Wayang” sculpture and decoration workshops, and a specialised coffee and herbal medicine exhibition titled “Barista Jamu.”
A three-day Quran recitation competition concluded with an awards ceremony attended by the festival’s distinguished guests, honouring excellence in religious scholarship and devotion.
The events highlighted the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s role in fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Through cultural exchange, humanitarian initiatives, and shared celebrations, the centre continues to reflect the values underpinning the UAE’s global humanitarian mission.
(Inputs from WAM)
