Hissein Brahim Taha hopes that Indonesia can continue to actively provide scholarship to countries in Africa, especially members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo received the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday (Aug. 7).

During the meeting, President Widodo discussed four issues including those on the burning the holy Qur’an and Rohingya, the Indonesian Cabinet Secretary said in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Tuesday.

"The first is related to the issue of burning the Qur’an. The president and the OIC secretary general have again expressed their position of strongly condemning the burning of the holy Qur'an," Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi said after accompanying President Widodo in the meeting.

The president expressed his hope that the OIC must continue to fight to prevent or reduce and eradicate Islamophobia which is currently happening, Retno noted.

The second is that President Widodo and the OIC secretary general talked about Afghanistan issues, especially those related to access to education for women and girls.

According to Retno, the OIC expressed its appreciation for what has been done by Indonesia which has consistently voiced and assisted access to education for women in Afghanistan.

"In addition, the OIC also appreciates the participation of Indonesian ulemas in the visit of the OIC ulemas to Afghanistan and soon there will be a second OIC ulemas' visit to Afghanistan in which Indonesian ulemas will also participate," she added.

The third is that President Widodo and the OIC secretary general discussed the Palestinian issue. The foreign minister said that the OIC secretary general greatly appreciated Indonesia's position in defending the interest of the Palestinian cause so far.

The fourth is that the president and the secretary general had a dialogue on the Rohingya issue.

According to the minister, the OIC secretary general once again expressed his appreciation for what Indonesia has done for the Rohingya people who are currently in the Cox's Bazar refugee complex in Bangladesh.

Several years ago, the Indonesian head of state visited Cox's Bazar.

"Therefore, the president continues to be committed together with other member countries in ASEAN to continue to voice the interests of the Rohingya in ASEAN meetings," Retno said.

At the end of the meeting, Hissein Brahim Taha hoped that Indonesia would continue to actively provide scholarship to countries in Africa, especially the OIC members. The OIC saw that currently Indonesia's economic condition is very good and continues to grow.

Editing by Indonesia Window