House commission VIII receives Chinese Religious Minister

Jakarta, NU Online
Commission VIII of the House of Representatives has received PRC Religious Minister Wang Zuo An and entourage at its office in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting between the House` Commission VII and the PRC religious minister was presided over by the commission`s deputy chairman Chairunnisa.<<>br />
Chairunnisa hoped the meeting would further cement the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Nisa said the Chinese leader`s visit to Indonesia, he will also attend a Chinese Muslim cultural art performance in Jakarta tomorrow, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of relations between China and Indonesia.

At the meeting, Wang Zuo An said the number of Chinese muslims is quite big reaching 21 million, and playing an important role and position.

"Most of the Chinese muslims are living in Xianjiang province, Chinghai, and in several major cities,," he said.

He said the friendly relations between the two nations could also promote the relations between their muslims, such as in the economy and education.

On the occasion, the Chinese religious minister also asked about the role played by the House in religious life in Indonesia.

Chairunnisa said parliament has three main functions mainly the making of regulations.

Within the context of the life of religious people, he said, parliament among other things make laws such as on the holding of hajj pilgrimage, including the cost of pilgrimage.

Nisa also said that the House is currently also revising the law on tithes, and laws on products allowed for muslims` consumption.

The PRC religious minister`s entourage include chairman of the Association of Muslims in China, deputy chairman of the Chinese Hajj Pilgrimage Group, Chinese National Religious spokesman, Chinese Islamic Director General, representative of Xinjiang Province, and members of the Chinese Cultural Association in Malacao. (dar)