Indonesia

President Abdullah Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül, from April 3-6, 2011, paid a visit to Jakarta at the invitation of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia.

The First Couple, on the first day of their visit, laid a wreath at the Kalibata National Heroes’ Memorial Cemetery built in memory of those who lost their lives under the Dutch colony and during World War I and II. The First Couple later explored the 120, 000-person capacity Istiqlal Mosque (Independence Mosque), Southeast Asia’s biggest and the world’s 4th biggest mosque.

On the second day of their schedule, they were welcomed with an official ceremony by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia at the Presidential Palace, Istana Merdeka. After having had a tete-a-tete that both First Ladies joined as well, the two leaders proceeded to the delegational talks and then held a joint press conference.

TWO FIRST LADIES AT EXHIBITION IN MERDEKA PALACE

Mrs. Gül and Mrs. Yudhoyono, by the way, explored the Indonesian Handicrafts and Cultural Artifacts Exhibition on display in Merdeka Palace. During her visit to the exhibition, Mrs. Gül was briefed about the Indonesian traditional clothes, local handicrafts and puppetry art. She closely examined all the artifacts including the model of an Ottoman sailboat. The First Lady later played the Angklung, a traditional instrument, with her Indonesian counterpart.

OFFICIAL DINNER

The First Couple later attended the official dinner given by their Indonesian counterparts and watched a cultural program after the dinner.

Further visiting both the University of Indonesia and the Turkish School, Kharisma Bambang School, President Gül and the First Lady left for Turkey on Wednesday, April 6.