Rector: Egypt and Al-Azhar University Have Assisted Indonesia in developing Islamic Studies

Bekasi, UIN News Online – Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis stated that Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt had contributed a lot to Indonesia in terms of developing Islamic studies and Arabic languages. Assistance was even also given to UIN Jakarta, such as training for Imam and khatib, Arabic language training, and the establishment of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah (FDI).

This was stated by Amany Lubis after attending the opening ceremony of the Center for Islamic and Arabic Language Studies (PUSIBA) by the Deputy of Grand Syaikh Al-Azhar, Prof. Shalih Abbas, at the Asy-syafi'iyyah (UIA) Islamic University campus, Pondok Gede, Bekasi, Java West, Monday (7/29/2019).

According to Rector, the assistance is clear evidence of the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and Indonesia. Egypt was also the first country in the world to recognize Indonesian sovereignty on August 17, 1945.

“So far, the assistance provided has focused on the fields of Islamic and Arabic education. However, it is very significant considering that Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world,” said Rector.

The establishment of FDI UIN Jakarta, said Rector, was also inseparable from the role of Al-Azhar in in developing Islamic studies and Arabic languages in Indonesia. Moreover, Egypt also assisting Indonesia in the development of an Arabic and Indonesian Wasatiyah magazine managed by students in Cairo to bring closer understanding of religious moderation in Egypt and Indonesia.

Another assistance provided was the establishment of Al-Azhar Asy-Syarif Islamic madrasa in Jakarta with the status of a public madrasa and now PUSIBA at the Asy-Syafi'iyyah Islamic University. In addition, there was also a small amount of assistance in the form of scholarships for students and Indonesian students who were studying in Egypt.

Also present in the event, Indonesia’s Minister for Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Chairman of the Indonesian Branch of the Al-Azhar International Alumni Organization (OIAA) TGB Zainul Wajdi, Vice Rector of Al-Azhar University Syaikh Abu Zaid al-Amiri, Rector of UIN Jakarta from 1992-1998 Prof. M. Quraisy Shihab, Dean of FDI UIN Jakarta Syairozi Dimyati, Chairman of the Lajnat  Tashhih al-Qur'an Mukhlish Hanafi, and Graduate School lecturer Huzaemah Tahido Yanggo. (usa/ns)