Strengthening Arabic Language in Indonesia “FITK UIN Jakarta's Collaboration with King Salman Arabic Language Academy Saudi Arabia”

UIN Jakarta, UIN News Online - The Arabic Language Education (PBA) and Master of Arabic Language Education (MPBA) Study Programs of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Keguruan (FITK) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta in collaboration with the King Salman International Arabic Language Academy (Majma' al-Malik Salman al-Alami li al-Lughah al-Arabiyah) of Saudi Arabia held the Syahrul Lughah Al-Arabiyah fi Indonesia (Arabic Language Month in Indonesia) event. The event, which was held at UIN Jakarta from January 22 to 25, 2024, aimed to develop the quality of Arabic language learning, improve the professional skills of Arabic language teachers, and organize training to spread Arabic language and culture in Indonesia.

The event featured a diverse series of events, including an international seminar featuring leading Arabic language experts from Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. The event was also filled with Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions discussing language testing and the utilization of technology in Arabic language learning for non-Arabic speakers.

In addition, Arabic language training for students was also organized in the form of Arabic reading comprehension skills and strategies, and listening skills for the purpose of learning Arabic.

The Syahrul Lughah Al-Arabiyah fi Indonesia series of activities also provides opportunities for participants to compete in international competitions. The competition, which includes Arabic poetry declamation, Arabic narration, and Arabic khat, takes place for 2 weeks online.

In this series of activities, FITK UIN Jakarta and the King Salman International Arabic Language Academy of Saudi Arabia also signed a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) in the field of education. This agreement is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions and contribute to the development of Arabic language in Indonesia.

This event received positive responses from various circles, both internal and external to UIN Jakarta. The Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., stated that this activity is a concrete manifestation of the vision and mission of FITK which excels in the field of education and teaching, especially in Arabic language teaching. "We hope that this activity can contribute significantly to improving the quality and quantity of FITK graduates who are proficient in Arabic," he said.

The Secretary General of the King Salman International Arabic Language Academy, Prof. Dr. Abdullah ibn Shalih al-Wasymi, appreciated this cooperation. He hopes this cooperation can continue and develop in the future. "We are very pleased to cooperate with FITK UIN Jakarta, which is known as a leading faculty in Indonesia with its Arabic Language Education Study Program and Master of Arabic Language Education. We hope this cooperation can have a positive impact on the advancement of the Arabic language in Indonesia and globally," he said.

The Arabic Language Month activity at UIN Jakarta was attended by around 150 participants consisting of lecturers/academics, experts, school/madrasa principals, Arabic language teachers.

This is the first time the Malik Salman Academy of Arabic Language (King Salman International for Arabic Language) has held Arabic Language Month activities in Indonesia. (PIH)