Halimah Munawir: “Goodwill” between Indonesia and Egypt in Arts and Culture is Necessary
JAKARTA-JAYA NEWS.CON – Diplomacy through literature and culture is a beautiful tool for harmony between nations. Egypt, for example, has produced many internationally renowned writers.
One of them has even won the Nobel Prize for his literary works, such as Naguib Mahfouz (Najib Mahfudz).
This prestigious award was awarded in 1988.
Egypt is also famous for its Cairo Opera House, established in 1988 in Zamalek.
This performing arts center showcases world-class opera, ballet, and Arabic music.
Collaboration between arts and cultural practitioners is crucial for maintaining the harmonious relationship between Indonesia and Egypt, which has been fostered since the administration of Indonesia’s first president, Ir. Soekarno.
Halimah Munawir, the owner of the HMA Cultural House, hopes that the outreach program conducted by the Egyptian Education and Culture Attaché, Abdul Mutaiali, MA, M.I.P., PHD, which took place at the HMA Cultural House in the Puncak area of Bogor Regency, will garner government attention.
“Especially to promote arts and culture exchanges between countries, particularly between Indonesia and Egypt. It’s also to foster mutual respect, strengthen friendships, and promote arts and culture,” she told reporters in Jakarta on Monday (February 16, 2026).
Halimah Munawir, also known as a poet and novelist, further emphasized that as a Sundanese elder and a cultural literature activist, she feels this is very necessary.
“Not only does it support existing arts and culture activists, but it also fosters a desire to make Sundanese known internationally through arts and culture,” she concluded. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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