JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The Muslim World League and Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs have launched an international Islamic media website, intended to boost public awareness of Islam, the Antara news agency reported.

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali said Indonesia was chosen to provide content for www.islamicnewsmedia.org because it "is considered a democratic country, with the largest Muslim population in the world. In addition, Indonesia has managed to maintain peace in the country (where various ethnic groups live)."

Visitors to the site can post comments, thoughts and opinions on Islam. "People can also download and share the comments through social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube," Ali said, according to Antara.

The launch of the website coincided with the International Conference of Fatwa, which wrapped up on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Muslim World League. Muslim delegations from 22 countries attended it.

Separately, MENAFN - Arab News reported that the Muslim World League and the Council of Indonesian Ulama (MUI) have signed a co-operation deal covering the exchange of visits, publications and organising regular meetings, lectures, and events in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

The co-operation reportedly also extends to organising qualification courses for Indonesian imams and preachers, and to facilitating the enrollment of Indonesian students in Saudi universities.

Head of MUI Maruf Amin said the fatwas (religious rulings) issued by the MUI provide key references for all decisions related to Shariah issues, due to the absence of a grand mufti in Indonesia.