Asian students travel to Egypt for their Islamic studies

CAIRO: Al Azhar University in Egypt is famed for being one of the leading Islamic educational institutions which has been attracting students from across the globe for decades.

One of the oldest educational institutions in the world, the university is considered one of the most prestigious Islamic universities with more than 300,000 students studying there.

Among the many tens of thousands who enter its doors are students from different parts of Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The students are interested in learning Arabic and Islamic teachings, among other professions and specialities.

"The mission is international, we have a duty towards all Muslims all over the world," said Dr Abdel Dayam Nossir, the advisor of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar for Education and Cultural Affairs. "We are the only university that provides free education to everybody regardless of their nationality in Islamic and Arabic studies."

Among the international students, there are some 20,000 who come from Asia.

Although universities in Indonesia offer Islamic Studies, third-year student Badr Ali El-Din considers Al Azhar to be the leader in Islamic theology and philosophy.

"There are reasons that led me specially to come to Egypt and the same applies for other students. Al Azhar is distinguished from universities in Indonesia, especially when it comes to Islamic studies," said Badr. "Al Azhar is the source of this science and it's the number one destination for the origins of Islamic Studies in the world."

Teachers at the university have expressed the need to modernise curricula to withstand the wave of extremism that has spread across the globe. Secular subjects are on hand and students are able to take their expertise back home to help build their countries.

"When we study in Al Azhar University, we study about our religion and also we can work in another field in our countries. It's not necessarily that I have to be a preacher or scholar in Islam," said Lukeman Hakim, an Indonesian student who is completing his postgraduate studies in Islamic governance. "No, I can work in another field in our country, in fact four of our presidents graduated from Al Azhar University."

Al Azhar University has offered free education to international students for decades, including free housing and stipends to help them focus on their studies. The university prides itself in the diversity of its students, who it hopes will return to their countries with a deeper understanding of Islam and a message of moderation.

Source: Asian students travel to Egypt for their Islamic studies