Azhar I.

Home University / Institution: Madrasah Muallimin Muhammadyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Host University: Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Course of study: Islamic Studies and Philosophy (undergraduate S1)

Duration: Study abroad full-course (4 years)

Organisation: Badan Dawah Islam

Source of funding: Scholarships

What have you gained and what have you enjoyed about studying in your host university/host country?

Before you continue to read my experiences that I gained from Al Azhar University and Egypt, please keep in your mind; the studying just applied for Muslim student, because the subjects only focused on Islamic Theology, practices and law. 

Why Al-Azhar University?  

Al-Azhar Univ. Is the oldest Islamic University along Islamic history, in 1970 Al Azhar University celebrating one thousand years anniversary. In beginning of established, Al Azhar University only focused on Islamic Teaching and all aspects related to Muslim life. However, in beginning of 19th century Al-Azhar extended the area education broader to applied science and social science.  Part of education program still focus on Islamic studies and only eligible for Muslim student. The rest of education areas opens for Muslim and non Muslim student.  

For Muslim world, Al-Azhar is a main resource of Islamic studies, the tradition and method of 

teaching and Islamic values maintained from time to time as pure like what prophet Muhammad peace be upon him teach for his followers. The Islamic values and teaching accepted by all parties in Islamic sects, and Al-Azhar University accommodated all of school of scientific discipline. 

There are many departments in Islamic studies; Theology, Arabic, Syariah Law, Conventional and Syariah law, Missionary endeavor.   My graduated was from Theology with the main subjects in philosophy and included in curriculum; philosophy of Greek, Philosophy of Jewish and Christian, European and modern Philosophy, philosophy of science and the major subject is Islamic philosophy.  

Egypt 

Majority of Egyptian are Moslem and very tolerant, around 15% Christian Orthodox (Coptic).  They are very respectful towards guests who came to their country, whatever the background and religion. The official language is Arabic.

Egypt is rich with history site and background, pharaoh, Roman and Islamic values influence in social life and Egyptian culture. All of those heritages still exist until today in Egypt.  Egyptian called themselves as “Ummu Dunya” central of civilization, and Nile River is central of their life.

Scholarship 

Many institutes in Egypt provided scholarship for International Moslem Students,  Al Azhar, Bait Zakat Kuwait,  Majlis Ala, and many Moslem Charities. 

It also the biggest Christian missionary was built in Egypt to delivery service for Christian in Africa.  I believe  they provided scholarship for Christians also.