REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Embassy of Saudi Arabia grants free umrah -pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken at any time of the year- to the leaders of remote tribes in Indonesia.

"Those leaders have a great influence for their community. We will give umrah package to 32 tribal leaders in Indonesia," Religious Attache at Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Indonesia, Syeikh Ibrahim, said on Tuesday.

Some of the leaders come from Papua, Mentawai and Badui. The embassy also gives free umra to lecturers of 37 Islamic universities, 27 state universities and 47 pesantrens because they are also considered having big influence for their students. Syeikh Ibrahim said this program was aimed to give benefit for education environment.

Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Syekh Mustofa bin Ibrahim al Mubarak, said the program could strengthen the relations of Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. "Indonesian and Saudi Arabian people have basic similarity. They have great spirit in religion, encouraging them to love Mecca" he said.

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