The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, His Excellency Manahan M.P. Sitompul, has officially presented a traditional teak wood calligraphy carving from Indonesia’s Jepara Regency to the Imam of Sarajevo’s Istiklal Mosque, Edin ef. Hamzakadić, in a ceremony highlighting the enduring friendship between the two countries.
The hand-carved artwork, bearing the name “Muhammad”, was presented in a warm and cordial atmosphere and symbolizes the strong bonds of brotherhood and mutual respect shared by Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The unique Jepara calligraphy carving was donated by Her Excellency Lestari Moerdijat, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, following her working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in February 2026.
During that visit, Moerdijat toured the Istiklal Mosque in Sarajevo, one of the city’s largest mosques and an enduring symbol of friendship and solidarity from the Indonesian people. The mosque was inaugurated in 2001 and stands as a lasting testament to the close relationship between the two nations.
The artwork is expected to be permanently displayed inside the Istiklal Mosque as a sign of respect and a reminder of the longstanding cultural and spiritual ties connecting Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The carving originates from Jepara, a regency in Indonesia’s Central Java province internationally renowned for its centuries-old tradition of fine wood carving. Often referred to as “The Carving City,” Jepara has built its cultural identity and local economy around this highly skilled craft.
The tradition has been passed down through generations within local families and is now also taught in selected schools as part of an educational initiative to preserve the region’s unique artistic heritage and inspire future generations of craftsmen.
Indonesian officials expressed hope that the presentation of the Jepara calligraphy will further strengthen cultural and religious cooperation between Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina while deepening the friendship and interfaith relations between the two countries.
