Jakarta, Indonesia – Mohammad Boroujerdi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia, recently engaged in a series of high-profile meetings with prominent Indonesian figures. These crucial discussions took place in the wake of recent attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, prompting a diplomatic outreach to key leaders across the archipelago.
Among the distinguished individuals Ambassador Boroujerdi met were former Indonesian state leaders, including Megawati Sukarnoputri, Jusuf Kalla, and former President Joko Widodo. The primary motivation behind these significant engagements, as explained by Boroujerdi himself, was to convey profound gratitude.
“As the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as Iran’s representative, it is only proper for me to reciprocate by conveying our sincere thanks for the expressions and words shared, and to offer our deep appreciation,” Boroujerdi stated in South Jakarta on Friday (April 3).
Boroujerdi underscored Iran’s position as a victim of brutal aggression from the United States and Israel. He noted that numerous influential figures in Indonesia had extended their solidarity and expressed deep concern over the escalating situation.
“My country has become a victim of the brutal attacks carried out by America and Israel. Many Indonesian figures, both official and non-governmental, have conveyed messages of sympathy and concern to me,” he elaborated. During these meetings, Boroujerdi also provided the Indonesian leaders with the latest reports on developments unfolding in his country.
Meeting Iran’s Ambassador, Din Syamsuddin Prays for War to End Soon
Prominent Muhammadiyah figure Din Syamsuddin was another significant personality Ambassador Boroujerdi met. Their discussion took place at Din Syamsuddin’s residence in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta, also on Friday (April 3), where heartfelt prayers were offered for peace and stability.
During their meeting, Din Syamsuddin conveyed fervent hopes for the swift cessation of hostilities and an improvement in conditions within Iran. “We hope that the calamity befalling the people of Iran, as a fellow Muslim nation whose suffering we also feel as our own, will soon pass. And that Iran, the Iranian nation, and Muslims in Iran will rise to continuously foster Islamic civilization together,” Din expressed.
Beyond prayers for peace, Din Syamsuddin issued a powerful call for Muslim unity amid heightened geopolitical tensions, specifically praying for Iran to emerge victorious in its conflict with the United States and Israel. He emphasized that now is not the time for the Muslim community to be fragmented by differences, whether based on religious schools of thought (madhab) or national identity.
“This is not the time to dispute our differences, whether between Sunni and Shia, or between Arab and Persian. For we are fellow Muslims taught by our religion to foster ‘al-ukhuwwah al-imaniyyah’ or ‘al-ukhuwwah al-islamiyyah’ – the brotherhood of faith and the brotherhood of Islam,” he passionately declared. Din Syamsuddin also voiced his strong support for the appeal by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Muhammad At-Tayyeb, for global Muslim unity, cautioning against succumbing to divisive provocations, which he termed as ‘divide-and-conquer’ politics.
In a bold statement, Din openly prayed for Iran’s triumph in the ongoing conflict. “Therefore, after the war, which we pray Iran will win, we shall draw wisdom and lessons to unite and cooperate in building a new civilization, an Islamic civilization for the world. For this reason, Your Excellency Mr. Ambassador, we wish to continue cooperation with Iran from Indonesia, including Islamic organizations,” he concluded, signaling a desire for deeper ties.
After Meeting Solo Mayor, Iran’s Ambassador Expresses Condolences for 3 TNI Soldiers Killed in Lebanon
Ambassador Boroujerdi’s diplomatic efforts also extended to Solo, where he met with Solo Mayor Respati Ardi on Wednesday (April 1). During this meeting, the Ambassador forcefully condemned the Israeli attack in Lebanon that tragically claimed the lives of Indonesian soldiers serving in a peacekeeping mission.
“Certainly, they even targeted parties or soldiers who were prepared to maintain peace. This is something that must be condemned,” Boroujerdi asserted, highlighting the egregious nature of the act. He characterized the actions as a blatant violation of international regulations and humanitarian norms, emphasizing Iran’s unwavering stance against such aggression.
Boroujerdi further confirmed that the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran had already issued a strong condemnation of the attack via its official social media channels, expressing deep regret over the loss of Indonesian lives. “We have strongly condemned the killing that occurred, which resulted in members of the Indonesian national army achieving the status of martyrdom (in Lebanon),” he reiterated, underscoring the severity of the incident. He firmly stated that such attacks are completely inconsistent with international ethics and norms.
The Ambassador extended a heartfelt invitation to the broader Indonesian community: “I also hope and invite all Indonesian society, the Indonesian government, the Mayor, the Honorable Mayor of Solo, to join a campaign to reject war. To voice that killing innocent people is wrong, and warfare is something we must reject.” This appeal underscores a broader call for global solidarity against violence.
Jokowi Hosts Iran’s Ambassador in Solo: Maintaining Diplomatic Relations is Crucial for Geopolitics
On Wednesday (April 1), Ambassador Boroujerdi visited former Indonesian President Joko Widodo at his private residence in Solo. The meeting, which focused on crucial diplomatic discussions, was held behind closed doors for nearly two hours, indicating the depth and importance of the dialogue.
President Jokowi extended warm hospitality, hosting Boroujerdi for a luncheon featuring a delectable spread of Indonesian culinary delights, including ‘gulai kambing’ (mutton curry), ‘mi Aceh’ (Acehnese noodles), ‘ayam goreng kremes’ (crispy fried chicken), ‘telur ceplok’ (fried egg), ‘nasi goreng’ (fried rice), and ‘lontong sayur’ (rice cake with vegetable curry).
Following the meeting, Jokowi emphasized the core objective of their discussions: to uphold and strengthen diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iran. “Yes, the essence is that we want to continuously maintain diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iran. I believe this is beneficial for both economic affairs and geopolitical matters,” Jokowi remarked, highlighting the dual importance of the relationship.
When questioned about the possibility of discussing Indonesian vessels reportedly detained in the Strait of Hormuz, Jokowi clarified that such matters fall within the purview of the government. He also voiced his support for anti-war campaigns, stating, “Regarding campaigns to invite war, well, I think campaigns to stop war, anti-war campaigns, are good.” Jokowi further articulated his conviction that the world currently requires peace and harmonious inter-state relations to preserve global stability, a sentiment echoing the broader international call for de-escalation.
Iran’s Ambassador Reveals Reasons for Meeting Jokowi in Solo
Ambassador Boroujerdi elaborated on the specifics of his visit to former President Jokowi’s residence in Solo, framing it primarily as an Eid al-Fitr ‘silaturahmi’ – a traditional Indonesian gathering to strengthen bonds and extend well-wishes during the festive season. “Today, I had the opportunity to meet His Excellency Jokowi, the former President of Indonesia, to extend Eid al-Fitr greetings, wish him and his family good health, and engage in ‘silaturahmi’,” Boroujerdi stated after the meeting, highlighting the personal and cultural significance of the visit.
He further detailed the substantive reasons for their encounter. Firstly, Boroujerdi conveyed profound appreciation to Jokowi for his consistent support and solidarity towards the people of Iran. He also took the opportunity to update the former President on the evolving conflict in Iran, including the recent attacks involving Israel and the United States. According to the Ambassador, Jokowi reaffirmed his support for the Iranian populace during their candid discussion.
Moreover, Boroujerdi extended heartfelt condolences and expressed deep regret over the “vile attack by the Zionist regime of Israel” on Indonesian peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, an incident that tragically led to the martyrdom of three exemplary Indonesian soldiers and injured several others. “We strongly condemn this action by the Zionist regime, which violates all international rules and laws,” he declared, reiterating Iran’s condemnation of the attack on humanitarian grounds.
Boroujerdi lauded Jokowi as a transformative leader who successfully ushered Indonesia towards significant progress. He also recalled the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Indonesia in 2023, during which he met with Jokowi. This earlier engagement, Boroujerdi noted, exemplified Jokowi’s pivotal role in expanding Indonesia’s foreign relations and vigorously championing national interests on the global stage. Concluding his remarks, the Ambassador expressed a fervent hope for the enduring preservation of the friendly relations between Iran and Indonesia, looking towards a future of continued cooperation and mutual respect.