Ambassador Balfakeeh Participates in the Centenary Celebrations of Darussalam Gontor

H.E. Ambassador Salem Ahmed Balfakeeh participated, on 18 and 19 September 2026, alongside a number of fellow ambassadors, in the centenary celebrations of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Indonesia. On Friday, H.E. the Ambassador delivered remarks at Darussalam Gontor in Mantingan, Ngawi Regency, East Java, in which he commended the institution’s educational role and its strong emphasis on the Arabic language. He highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between Yemen and Indonesia, as well as the historic role of Hadhramis in strengthening these bonds. He also expressed his aspiration to enhance cooperation between Darussalam Gontor and Yemeni educational institutions and to expand academic and cultural exchanges between the two sides. On Saturday, H.E. the Ambassador attended the main centenary celebration held at Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, in the presence of H.E. President Prabowo Subianto of the Republic of Indonesia, along with a number of senior officials, ambassadors, and representatives of diplomatic missions.