OIC-Indonesia Cultural Week: Organization of Islamic Cooperation Cultural Activities (OIC-CA) was officially launched by the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Dito Ariatedjo and the Assistant Secretary General of OIC for Humanitarian, Cultural, Social and Family Affairs Ambassador Tariq Bakheet on 8 July 2023. The Week program takes place in Jakarta and East Kalimantan Province during the period 7-14 July 2023. It features cultural and artistic events highlighting the cultural diversity of the Islamic world, underlining the crucial role that interfaith harmony and dialogue play in promoting peace, tolerance, and social cohesion, the need to strengthen inclusivity and harmony and promote the shared values and principles of the OIC Member States. The 2022 edition of the OIC-CA had taken place in Uganda.
Ambassador Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General of IRCICA, was invited to address the High-Level Panel on “Embracing Cultural Diversity and Harmony for a Brighter Future Society” which was held at Muhammadiyah University, Kalimantan Timur on 10 July 2023. The panel was opened by the welcoming remarks of Prof. Bambang Setiaji, Rector, Muhammadiyah University, and the address of Prof. Warsito, Assistant Deputy for Religious Moderation Affairs, Ministry of Human Development and Culture, Indonesia. In his address, Director General Prof. Kılıç presented an analysis of the correlation between the themes contained in IRCICA’s work programs and the diversity of arts and cultures in the Islamic world. Other speakers at the panel included the Ambassadors of the State of Qatar and the European Union in Indonesia, dignitaries from the OIC Member States and the Indonesian Government.
Before the opening of the panel, a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation was signed by Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Director General, IRCICA, and Prof. Bambang Setiaji, Rector of Muhammadiyah University, Kalimantan Timur (UMKT), laying foundations for academic cooperation between the two institutions.
IRCICA is contributing to the OIC-CA program with two exhibitions: historical photographs of the sacred cities of Islam, and a sample of winners’ works in the IRCICA International Calligraphy Competition.
