Jusuf Kalla Lays Cornerstone for Construction of Indonesian Clinic in Kabul

Kabul, MINA – In the midst of his attendance at an international conference in Kabul, Vice President Jusuf Kalla took the time to lay the cornerstone for the construction of the Indonesian Islamic Center (IIC) clinic located in the Assalam Mosque complex, at Ahmad Shah Baba Street, Mina District 12, here on Wednesday .

The event took place after the Vice President attended the opening of the Second Kabul Process Conference for Peace and Security Cooperation at Char Chihar Palace, in the Afghan capital.

Driving by car for about forty minutes, the Vice President was warmly welcomed by the Afghan community along the streets from Char Chinar Palace to the Assalam Mosque, with welcome banners on several places and occasionally the greeters waved to his motorcade.

“Welcome,” greet the children and local people in Indonesian when welcoming the second person in Indonesia once he arrived at Assalam Mosque, according to Wapresri.go.id quoted by MINA.

Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi and Indonesian Ambassador to Afghanistan Arief Rahman, Vice President headed directly to the place of laying ceremony. The Assalam Mosque and the the clinic were built by the Indonesian government on a land of about 10,000 square meters granted by the Afghan government.

According to the Vice President, the IIC is one form of commitment of the Indonesian government in assisting the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

“In addition to being a place of worship, this building is also for the place to forge friendship,” he said.

After attending the ceremonial event, the Vice President performs tahiyatul masjid shalat in Assalam Mosque. Before entering the mosque, the Vice President wore a distinctive headgear of the mullahs known as “turban”, a gift from local clerics.

He also took the opportunity to talk with the scholars who were present there. (LT/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)