March 14, 2025 | 05:55 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergey Tolchenov, expressed his intention to strengthen economic relations with Indonesia, especially in cooperation based on Islamic values. Sergey highlighted that Russia has a large Muslim population, estimated to reach 15-20 million people.
Several regions in Russia have a majority of Muslim inhabitants. According to Tolchenov, Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, is an administrative center with a large Muslim population in Russia.
''We invite Indonesia to participate in the Kazan Forum, a platform for economic cooperation covering various aspects of Islamic economy such as halal, Shariah, and other fields,'' Tolchenov said during an iftar event at his residence on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
He hopes Indonesia can join the Kazan Forum, which is designed to facilitate discussions and economic cooperation based on Islamic values.
Ramadan is also used to help bridge the cultural gap with Indonesia. Like in Indonesia, Muslim Russians also observe fasting during Ramadan.
Interestingly, the Orthodox Christians in Russia also fast, which has some similarities, though not the same as the Muslims.
''The Orthodox fast is not as strict as Ramadan. We do not refrain from eating since 6 in the morning, but we do not consume meat and consume more fruits,'' Sergey emphasized, highlighting the cultural similarities that can be the foundation for closer relations between the two countries.
Editor's Choice: Solo City to Hold Longest Ramadan Iftar in Indonesia; 15,000 Meals Prepped
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