Monday, 25 May 2026
Egyptian minister of religious endowments bids farewell to Indonesian ambassador
Egypt’s Minister of Religious Endowments (Awqaf), Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, met with Dr. Lutfi Rauf, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Egypt, at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Capital. The visit, held as Ambassador Rauf concludes his diplomatic mission in Cairo, served as a heartfelt farewell and a celebration of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Minister Al-Azhari warmly welcomed Ambassador Rauf and his accompanying delegation, commending the ambassador’s dedicated and sincere service. “Ambassador Rauf set an exemplary standard for diplomatic commitment and was a true friend to Egypt and its people,” Dr. Al-Azhari said, highlighting the ambassador’s active role in strengthening bilateral cooperation—especially through Al-Azhar, a cornerstone for educational and cultural exchange between Egypt and Indonesia.
The Minister expressed his pride at being invited as Guest of Honour during Indonesia’s National Day celebrations in Cairo for the past two years, underscoring the robust ties between the two countries. He noted that Egypt and Indonesia now enjoy enhanced cooperation at both governmental and grassroots levels, especially since elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership. Dr. Al-Azhari wished the ambassador every success in his future roles, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to ongoing collaboration.
Ambassador Rauf, in turn, expressed deep gratitude for the support extended to the Indonesian community by the Ministry of Religious Endowments. He praised Dr. Al-Azhari’s dedication to promoting religious and academic cooperation and recalled fondly his participation in national and cultural events during his tenure in Cairo. The ambassador described his years in Egypt as both professionally rewarding and personally enriching, acknowledging the impressive progress he witnessed in Egypt’s infrastructure and development.
Ambassador Rauf also highlighted the growing educational, cultural, and religious cooperation and the frequent official exchanges that have characterized recent years. He voiced pride in the longstanding and evolving relationship between Indonesia and Egypt.
The ambassador was accompanied by a diplomatic delegation, while Egyptian ministry officials also attended the meeting. The event concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts—symbolizing the deep bonds of friendship and the mutual commitment to further fruitful cooperation in all fields.