RI Supports The Construction Of The Istiqlal Mosque In Croatia, Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Anis: Strengthening Diplomatic Relations

JAKARTA - Indonesia's support for the construction of a mosque at the Islamic Center Istiqlal Osijek (ICO) which is attached to Osijek, Croatia is expected to strengthen Muslim relations and diplomatic relations between the two countries, said Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta.

This was said by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia during a visit to ICO with the Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia Suwartini Wirta and the Head of the Dhuafa Wallet Waqf Development and Investment Institute.

During this visit, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia conveyed the commitment of the Government of Indonesia to provide assistance to support the construction of the Istiqlal Mosque in ICO, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, as quoted on July 10.

In addition to government grants, Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta also invited the Indonesian zakat institution to contribute to the development of this ICO.

"Alhamdulillah, we, the Indonesian government, provide assistance," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in a post on his X social media account.

"Hopefully this Islamic Center will become a bridge that connects the brotherhood of Muslims and strengthens diplomatic relations between the two countries," hoped the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

In 2002, the Istiqlal Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, was inaugurated as a symbol of solidarity as well as a strategic step to affirm Indonesia's existence in the Balkan area. The development of the Islamic Center Istiqlal (ICO) in Osijek comes with the same spirit.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that ICO development is a tangible manifestation of Indonesia's commitment to spreading moderate, peaceful, and inclusive Islamic values, while strengthening Indonesia's position as the main reference for the Muslim community in Croatia and the Balkan region.

Located in a strategic location, ICO became the center for the gathering of around 10,000 Muslims from Croatia and neighboring countries such as Hungary, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The development of the ICO is part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia's relations with the Islamic world which received special attention from the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

"InshaaAllah, this development is already underway," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto has a very big concern for issues in the Islamic world and Muslims wherever they are," he said.

Perhatian dan komitmen Presiden @prabowo terhadap Dunia Islam dan umat Muslim di mana pun salah satunya tampak dari bantuan pemerintah Indonesia terhadap pembangunan Islamic Center di kota Osijek, Kroasia. pic.twitter.com/ZpRFrlFNxG

— Anis Matta (@anismatta) July 8, 2025

President @prabowo's attention and commitment to the Islamic World and Muslims everywhere, one of which can be seen from the Indonesian government's assistance in the development of the Islamic Center in the city of Osijek, Croatia. pic.twitter.com/ZpRFrlFNxG