Megawati Soekarnoputri Visits Imam Al Bukhari's Grave In Uzbekistan

JAKARTA - The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Imam Al Bukhari in Khartang Village, Samarkand City, Uzbekistan.

Megawati arrived at around 14.30 local time wearing a red long dress wrapped in a white veil. The daughter of the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno was welcomed by Deputy Governor of Samarkand Rustam Kobilov and Director of Imam Bukhari Complex Maqsud Hoji.

Megawati was accompanied by the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga and Professor of the Faculty of International Relations, St. University. Petersburg Connie Rahakundini Bakrie.

Maqsud Hoji also invited Megawati and her entourage to enter the Imam Bukhari grave complex.

On the way to the tomb, Megawati also took the time to ask Maqsud Hoji about several sides of the tomb complex building which was in the process of being renovated.

Megawati looks very impressed with the carvings of walls and roofs on one side of the very beautiful tomb complex. The combination of beige colors and carvings of a typical Uzbekistann image.

Although the tomb complex is still in the process of being renovated, Megawati is still impressed by several sides of the building.

The complex building is indeed being renovated, especially in the mosque section. However, it did not stop Megawati and her entourage from making the pilgrimage.

Megawati seemed solemn in praying near Imam Al Bukhari's grave. Long time he prayed. Seen with tears in his eyes. After praying, he took a tissue to wipe the tears and runny nose.

After praying, Megawati and her entourage met with the main management of the complex. The daughter of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia Soekarno handed over two gifts containing batik cloth.

Ahmad Basarah, who is still near Megawati, seemed to communicate with the deputy governor and mosque administrator about Megawati's intention.

Everything happened as it was. Construction workers continue to work while looking from afar. Megawati was present without asking that all work be stopped.

The complex is currently being fully reconstructed with an area of 48,000 square meters. When completed, the complex will have a beautiful mosque that can accommodate 9,000 people when praying together.

In addition, the reconstruction will prepare a beautiful 4,400 square meter garden. So is information from the information website regarding Samarkand.

Ahmad Basarah hopes that Megawati's visit will serve as a reminder of the collective memory of the Indonesian nation for the role and legacy of the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno to the Islamic world.

Currently, the grave of Imam Bukhari is a pilgrimage for the tourism of the world's Muslims, including the people of Indonesia.

"From Mrs. Megawati's visit, it is hoped that there will be enlightenment for the people of Indonesia and also internationally Bung Karno's legacy of the development of the Islamic world, in addition to causing socio-economic impacts for the two countries," Basarah said.

The deputy chairman of the MPR reminded him of Soekarno's great role in the discovery of the tomb of Imam Al Bukhari.

"Bung Karno is a figure who asked the Soviet communist government during his state visit in 1956 to find the tomb. This is Bung Karno's legacy to the Islamic world," Basarah explained as quoted by ANTARA.

He hopes that Megawati's visit will strengthen relations between the two countries.

"When Megawati spoke with Samarkand Deputy Governor Rustam Kobilov yesterday, there was a desire to strengthen relations between the two countries, especially between Samarkand and Jakarta," he concluded.