Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) – 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 Java,” she said.Parawansa emphasized that East Java and Samarkand share historical and spiritual ties, especially through connections with prominent Islamic scholars.She noted that these ties could serve as a foundation for developing religious tourism, including pilgrimage potential to the tomb of Imam Bukhari in Uzbekistan.“This has the potential to become a new attraction for religious tourism in East Java,” she said.She added that historical links could also be traced through Islamic figures in the archipelago, such as Sunan Giri and Maulana Malik Ibrahim, who are connected to the Samarkand region.As a real step, the East Java administration involves tourism industry players, including travel agencies, to explore cooperation opportunities with the Samarkand provincial government.It is also encouraging stronger transport connectivity, including the possibility of opening direct flights from Indonesia to Samarkand or Tashkent.“Improved connectivity is expected to strengthen people-to-people relations, especially in developing religious tourism and cultural exchange,” Parawansa said.Meanwhile, Samarkand Governor Adiz Boboev welcomed the partnership and expressed hope that ties between Samarkand and East Java would continue to grow. He also invited people from East Java to visit and undertake pilgrimages in Uzbekistan.