Surabaya, East Java, April 5 -- The East Java provincial government is strengthening bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan in the cultural and religious tourism sectors to boost connectivity, pilgrimage, and cultural exchange.

The initiative was marked by a visit from Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Indonesia Oybek Eshonov, Samarkand Governor Adiz Boboev, and Samarkand Deputy Governor Rustam Kobilov to Surabaya.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said here on Sunday that the meeting was also attended by Islamic scholars and academics from both sides.

"The Uzbekistan delegation attended in full, including the imam of the Imam Bukhari Mosque and academics. We also invited Islamic scholars from various Islamic boarding schools in East...