- Indonesia partners with Al-Azhar University, Cairo, to launch the first Indonesian Language and Literature program in Africa and the Middle East, enrolling 350 students.
- Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti highlighted the program as a milestone for promoting Bahasa Indonesia internationally, accompanied by cultural showcases like Tapak Suci martial arts and traditional pantun.
- The program, now the 15th language taught at Al-Azhar, received official approval after 17 months of curriculum development and formal endorsements, reflecting strong interest in Indonesian language and culture.
Indonesia's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has collaborated with Al-Azhar University in Cairo to internationalize Bahasa Indonesia by establishing a program in Indonesian Language and Literature, the program was officially launched at the prestigious university.
Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said in a press release on Tuesday that the program has enrolled 350 new students. "This Indonesian Language and Literature program is the first to be implemented in Africa and the Middle East, a milestone in our national language promotion effort", he said.
Mu'ti emphasized how Egypt was the first country in the world to recognize Indonesian independence. He said that one of the highlights of the inauguration ceremony was a show of Tapak Suci martial arts and traditional pantun performed by BIPA students - reflecting the growing interest in Indonesian culture.
"The enthusiasm of the Egyptian public towards Indonesian language and culture is very high", he added. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Education and Culture Attache in Cairo, Abdul Muta'ali, said the process for securing the Al-Azhar Grand Council's decree (No. 343, dated July 12, 2025) took about a year and five months.
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"The process started with the preparation of the curriculum, followed by obtaining the approval from the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar and the Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, in addition to many presentations before the Grand Council," Muta'ali said.
Al-Azhar University President Salamah Dawud called the new program an important addition to the list of languages taught at the university, which already numbers about 15. "Indonesian is now the 15th language taught at Al-Azhar University", he said, adding that the success of the study program would depend on Indonesia's support in providing qualified teachers.
He added that Indonesian students hold a special place in the hearts of Al-Azhar's academic community because of their noble character and politeness.
