TEHRAN Indonesia's Counselor in Tehran Ade Sukendar said the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran should be praised for taking the initiative of dialog among civilizations.
He made the above remark in an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES on the sidelines of "Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition, which was recently held here at Niavaran Cultural Center.
He also expressed hope that holding "Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition would pave the way for full understanding of dialog among civilizations and cultures.
As regards cultural commonalties between Iran and Indonesia, Sukendar said that religious ceremonies such as those held in the month of Moharram are the common points shared by the two nations of Iran and Indonesia.
Sukendar further emphasized that according to history, preachers of Islam went from both Arab countries and Iran to Indonesia and disseminated Islamic teachings in that country.
The counselor of Indonesian Embassy in Tehran further praised the status of rich Iranian culture and art in the world, saying that Iran's culture and art, particularly its poetry and handicrafts, are well-known all over the world.
He expressed satisfaction over political and cultural relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Indonesia and reiterated that after the visit by the Indonesian president to Iran, the relations between the two countries entered a new phase. He also said that the Indonesian president has made every effort to bring the two nations closer to each other.
Moreover, the Indonesian cultural attache said that his government is eager to prepare the ground for Iranian exporters and businessmen to make investments in Indonesia.
He went on to say, "Iran and Indonesia have been quite active in cultural exchanges such as dispatching the Indonesian reciters of the holy Qoran and artists to Iran and vice versa.
" He underlined that the recent fall in such exchanges in due to the economic crisis facing Indonesia.
Elaborating on certain characteristics of "Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition, Sukendar said that the exhibition aimed to introduce the rich culture of Indonesia in the pre-Islamic era, which was even utilized by the Islamic preachers to propagate Islam in that country.
Moreover, the official in charge of holding "Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition, Serajoddin, told the TEHRAN TIMES that the ultimate goal of the exhibition was to strengthen Iran-Indonesia cultural relations.
Referring to the two sections of the exhibition which dealt with the pre-Islamic and post-Islamic eras, Serajoddin said, "Vayan dolls gave special effects to the exhibition. The preachers of Islam used these dolls to propagate Islamic teachings in Indonesia, and this was welcomed by the people. Today, Vayan is considered as a myth in Indonesia." He added that what was displayed in "Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition was a part of Indonesia's culture, history and civilization.
Serajoddin expressed hope that more cultural measures of this type would be taken in the future to further introduce the art and culture of Indonesia to the Iranian people.
He also expressed satisfaction with Iran-Indonesia relations, saying that there are many cultural commonalties shared by the two countries. Serajoddin said that there are even thousands of Persian words in the original language of the Indonesians.
He noted that religious and Qoranic instruction in Indonesia is conducted in Arabic, Indonesian and Persian languages.
Touching on Iran's great historical monuments, Serajoddin emphasized that such monuments are indicative of Iran's ancient history and rich culture and civilization.
"Rainbow of Indonesia" exhibition was held at Niavaran Cultural Center from July 26 to August 1. The center's Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Saqafi, told the TEHRAN TIMES that the exhibition was visited by a large number of Iranians.