Jakarta, <strong><em>NU Online</em></strong><br /> Canada is to provide assistance to develop Islamic institutions in Indonesia under an agreement signed here Friday.<br /> <br /> A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the assistance was inked by Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Y.M. Mackenzie Closton and Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Muhammad Maftuh Basyuni.<><br /> <br /> The Canadian assistance, worth US$13.5 million, would be channeled through a project titled "Supporting Islamic Leadership in Indonesia (SILE)."<br /> <br /> The project was to be financed by the Canadian International Development Agency and be focused on the Sultan Alaudin State Islamic University (UIN) in Makassar, South Sulawesi and the Sunan Ampel State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) in Surabaya, East Java.<br /> <br /> The project was expected to foster relations between Indonesia and Canada and build mutual understanding of both nations` cultures, values and principles, Closton said.<br /> The project will last six years and have three specific objectives , namely increasing people`s participation, reinforcing internal management of Islamic institutions and providing technical assistance for the ministry of religious affairs. (ant)

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