JAKARTA. The Saudi Arabian government plans to open up Arabic language institutes in Indonesia as part of its efforts to expand the Arabic language skills of Indonesians.

Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Indonesia Osama bin Mohammed Abdullah Al Shuaibi said the three educational institutions would be established in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Medan, North Sumatra, and Surabaya, East Java.

Osama said the institutions would help develop Arabic language education in Indonesia.

The ambassador ensured those concerned that the institutions would be free from any radical influences.

“They will only deliver Arabic language instruction. We will not allow any party to make use of the institutions for other purposes or interests,” Osama said as quoted by kompas.com during a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Osama said the establishment of the institutions would be included in one of several memorandums of understanding (MoU) that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia would sign during his bilateral meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

In total, 10 MoUs will be signed by King Salman and the President.

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie