Jakarta. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gifting Indonesia 30 tons of dates as both Muslim-majority nations observe the fasting month of Ramadan.

These donations had already landed in Jakarta on Monday. The fruits, which are considered to be a staple as an iftar or fast-breaking meal, will be distributed to the Indonesian people. UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Obaid AlDhaheri said that his country had gifted these 30 tons of “premium dates” at no cost via the Emirates International Aid Agency.

“This shows how we wish to bolster solidarity and brotherhood with the Indonesian people in this Ramadan month that is filled with blessings,” the ambassador was quoted as saying in a press statement on Tuesday.

Likewise, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said that the fruit donation reflected “the warm Indonesia-UAE ties”.

“Our relationship is built on humanitarian principles, solidarity, and tolerance,” Nasaruddin said.

Indonesia and the UAE have partnered across different fields. The two countries have established a free trade agreement, which helped boost export-import activities from nearly $5.1 billion in 2024 to $6.4 billion the following year. The UAE has also invested in some of Indonesia’s strategic fields, including renewable energy. Emirati state-run energy firm Masdar has also backed the construction of Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant in West Java. On Gaza peace efforts, they are both part of the US-led Board of Peace.