Jakarta, Feb. 8 -- President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia will be the first foreign country to build a complex dedicated to its Hajj pilgrims in Mecca, describing it as an extraordinary gesture of respect from Saudi Arabia.

"For the first time in history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allowed a foreign nation to own land in the holy city of Mecca. Ladies and gentlemen, it should be noted that they revised their law solely out of respect toward the Indonesian nation," he said.

President Prabowo made the statement before more than 100,000 people gathered at the centenary celebration of Nahdlatul Ulama, one of Indonesia's most prominent Islamic organizations, in Malang, East Java, on Sunday.

He explained that the acquired ...