Media Release
23 November 2023
Today Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP met Indonesian alumni of the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP) in Jakarta.
AIMEP is an interfaith program funded by the Australian Government through the Australia Indonesia Institute that fosters people-to-people links through exchange and dialogue. It aims to deepen understanding of how Islam is practised in our respective communities.
There are now more than 300 AIMEP alumni, who include prominent Australian and Indonesia Muslims with expertise in a wide range of fields.
“AIMEP is instrumental in building mutual understanding and creating lasting connections between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia,” said Minister Husic.
The meeting was an opportunity for a two-way discussion on Islam in Australia and Indonesia, and opportunities for deepening interfaith relations between our two countries.
Minister Husic also discussed Australia and Indonesia’s shared concerns about the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which has claimed a harrowing number of civilian lives. Australia was particularly concerned by the impact on medical facilities and called for the protection of hospitals and medical transport in accordance with international humanitarian law. Minister Husic said Australia welcomed the agreement on hostage release and pause in hostilities as an important and necessary step.
Minister Husic is Australia’s first Cabinet Minister of Islamic faith. He was in Jakarta to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and Indonesia on electric vehicle cooperation, taking forward the commitment made by President Widodo and Prime Minister Albanese at the Australia-‑Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting on 4 July 2023.
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