Iran-Indonesia cultural relations:
In the course of Iranians relations with other nations, Iranian relations with the Indonesian people, especially in the field of cultural relations, have always enjoyed a special importance. For a clearer vision, it is enough to take a brief glance at some historical and cultural aspects of the relations between the two countries. The history of the Islamic period in Indonesia and other parts of the Malay Archipelago reminds us that Iranian communities and businessmen, especially after the formation of Islamic governments, voyaged extensively in the region and contributed to the promotion and spread of Islam.
The tombstone of Malik Ibrahim (822 HQ) in the village of Gresik, as well as the tomb of Hussein Khair bin Amir Ali Astarabadi (733 HQ) and the tomb of Hussein Farsi (822 HQ) in Sumatra and Java, are among the historical documents attesting the claim . Ibn Battuta, who visited the island of Sumatra in 46 AD, refers to the presence of some Iranian officials namely Behrouz, Judge Sharafuddin Amir Seyed Shirazi and Tajuddin Isfahani among others. Sultan Aladdin Shah, the powerful king of Malacca, was influenced by his Iranian advisers and scholars. Politically Iranianized King courts as well as the Muslim Indians managed to bring pleasant traditions to their Muslim counterparts in Indonesia and the Malay-speaking countries of the region.
Administrative system, titles and style of clothing, architecture of palaces and gardens of Iranian Muslim Kings, along with features of Iranian Islamic mysticism, were of two rudimentary and mesmerizing traits of Islamic Iranian culture and civilization prevalent in the court of aristocracy and sultans of not only Aceh but other corners of Indonesia. Another aspect of the infiltration of Iranian culture shall be considered the lasting influence of Persian etiquette on Malay etiquette. The Persian language, in addition to its direct transmission by Iranian settlers through Indian Muslim merchants and immigrants, was promoted in such a way that on the tombstone of some Sumatran Muslims, odes and poems of great Iranian poets such as Sa’adi were engraved.
It is noteworthy that, nowadays, there are about 400 Persian words in Malay namely Aftab, Anggur, Baba, Bulbul, Bandar, Gandum, Menara, Kurma, Taht, Tarazu, Kecil, etc. The influence of mystical and philosophical school of thoughts of Iranian intellectuals can be seen in the classical literary and mystical works of Malay, especially the works of the 17th century, such as Sharabul Ashiqin and Asrarul Arifin.
These elements and commonalities in cultural and historical heritage have always been a touchstone and appropriate opportunity to develop and reinforce relations between the two cultural and civilizational areas of the Islamic world, namely the Iranian area and the Malay area, particularly Iran and Indonesia as the cultural and civilizational focal points.
Bilateral Contemporary Cultural Relations:
Indonesia stands as the most populous Islamic nation. Its population numbers two hundred and forty-two million souls, of which eighty-seven percent profess the Islamic faith. The shared cultural heritage between Iran and this nation, from a religious perspective with the Unifying Book (the Quran), the exalted Prophet, and their Muslim identity, as well as their linguistics, possesses remarkable potential. Hence, soft diplomacy, or what we may term cultural diplomacy, between the two nations holds a vastly promising prospect for expansion.
In the course of Ayatollah Raisi's esteemed state visit to the Republic of Indonesia on the 23rd and 24th of May in the year 2023, one of the most significant cultural agreements between Iran and Indonesia was signed. In this regard, the groundwork for various cultural collaborations in the following areas is executable:
cooperation in academic and university-related fields, hosting diverse cultural exhibitions, the fusion of cultural and economic dimensions, the promotion of halal brands, literature exchange, and more. Expanding cultural diplomacy, including hosting conferences and diverse seminars, cultural weeks between the two nations, film weeks, cross-exchange of academic and university delegates, student scholarships, active participation of startups from both countries in various sectors, the production of joint films, and many other diverse cultural programs, constitute integral components of this essential cultural agenda.
Moreover, the Persian language serves as a vital tool for cultural transmission and the introduction of Iran. Indonesia is no exception to this rule, thankfully, given the historical ties between the two nations and the existence of four hundred Persian words in the Malay language. Currently, Persian language instruction is underway for professors and students at seven top Indonesian universities. Furthermore, the Iranian Corners in these seven universities shoulder the responsibility of acquainting contemporary Iran.
Qur'anic diplomacy also holds a pivotal and influential position within the Indonesian nation. In the year 2022, some of our international Qur'anic luminaries ventured to Indonesia and, in various provinces of this nation, embarked on the recitation of the Quran as part of an effort to transfer the capacities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Qur'anic achievements to Indonesia. In the current year, the Qur'an reciters of the Islamic Republic of Iran secured the top position by participating in international competitions of the Holy Quran in Indonesia.
The presence of Indonesian Qur'anic reciters in the year 2023 at the fortieth International Quranic Festival in the Islamic Republic of Iran further exemplifies Quranic diplomacy between the two countries in the pursuit of enhancing cultural interactions.