After Attending The Opening Of The Muhammadiyah Mukhtamar, With Gibran Rakabuming Puan Maharani Sambangi Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The chairman of the DPR, Puan Maharani (front, left) visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo, Central Java. (Photo: Doc. DPR RI)

SOLO - Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo, Central Java. The visit was carried out after Puan attended the opening of the 48th Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Congress, Saturday, November 19.

The mosque given by the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) has just been inaugurated. Puan hopes that this mosque will strengthen Indonesia's relations with the UAE.

Puan was accompanied by the Mayor of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is also a PDI-P cadre. The arrival of Puan and Gibran was welcomed by the Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Guidance at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Dr. H. Adib.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives was then invited to tour the mosque area. Puan reviewed starting from the terrace, the main room of the mosque, to the ablution place.

"How will the management of this mosque be?" Puan asked the management of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

To Puan, Adib explained, the manager of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has been formed under the coordination of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag). The mosque management also coordinates with the Solo City Government.

"The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will be the pioneer and broadcasting center and the spread of Islam is tolerant, moderate," explained Adib.

Furthermore, Puan hopes that the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can increase Solo's superiority nationally and internationally.

In addition to being a place of prayer, a center for da'wah and Islamic education, a replica of the magnificent Abu Dhabi mosque, The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is considered to be a new religious tourist destination.

"At the same time it can be a symbol of brotherhood between nations and the center of the spread of Islam rahmatan lil 'alamin," added Puan.

After touring the mosque, Puan then met residents who shouted his name from behind the fence of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

For the time being, the mosque has not been opened to the public. Residents can only see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from behind the guardrail which is circular from the north to east side in front of the mosque.

Apart from local communities, hundreds of residents who visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque were happy with the Muhammadiyah Congress. They come from all over the archipelago.

Puan greets the residents one by one. Be patient and patient, Bung Karno's grandson also serves residents who ask for photos together.

"Where did you come from?" asked Puan while chatting casually with one of the residents.

"From Kalimantan. Mbak Puan, joined the congress," replied the resident.