C

anada has donated C$13.5 million (Rp 122.77 billion) to Indonesia to boost the quality of Islamic leadership in the world's most populous Muslim country, the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement.

Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mackenzie Clugston, and Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Maftuh Basyuni, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday "to build the capacity of several Islamic institutions of higher learning in Indonesia and ensure their outreach functions well with local communities".

The MoU, the embassy added, also aimed to build the capacity of the Religious Affairs Ministry, "in order to effectively integrate democratic governance practices and issues in their strategies, programs and budgets".

"This important project will help further strengthen the long-standing relationship between Canada and Indonesia which has led to a greater mutual understanding of our respective cultures, values, and principles," the ambassador was quoted as saying.

"Based upon a very long and strong partnership that exists between our two governments I believe this project has the potential to be a great success."

Under the Supporting Islamic Leadership in Indonesia (SILE) project, the funds will be mostly used to develop Sultan Alauddin State Islamic University in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and the Sunan Ampel State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) in Surabaya, East Java.