Indonesia has the highest Muslim population in the world, and many of its citizens travel outside the country to further their Islamic education. Cairo, Egypt, is a popular destination for Indonesian students who wish to study at some of the most prestigious Islamic universities in the world. However, for these students, being away from home during the holy month of Ramadan can be a challenging experience. In this article, we will explore the experiences of Indonesian students studying Islam in Cairo and how they navigate the spiritual and cultural differences during Ramadan away from their families and communities back home.
Indonesian Student in Cairo Pursues Religious Studies to Promote Tolerant Islam
Nuni Nuraini Ahyani, a 25-year-old Indonesian student, is currently in her fourth year of studying religion at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, a respected seat of Sunni Muslim learning that has been shaping Islamic scholarship for over a millennium. During Ramadan, which runs until later this month, Ahyani enjoys trying different communal tables where locals and passersby can break their fasts at sunset, in a tradition dating back centuries.
Ahyani allocates time for learning, teaches the teachings of Prophet Mohammad, and spends her nights reading the Koran. She left her family in Indonesia to deepen her understanding of the prophet’s teachings through her studies in Egypt and prepare herself to promote a tolerant version of Islam back home.
Indonesia is recognized as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation with 240 million people, which is about 85% of its population. Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam that is able to coexist with other religions. Recent years have seen increasing religious intolerance in the country, including some attacks on religious minorities and the rise of organizations with extremist ideologies.
Ahyani hopes to bring a tolerant interpretation of Islam to Indonesia by furthering her religious education in Al-Azhar, which has a reputation for promoting moderate religious thought. She believes that a university education steeped in religious knowledge is critical in spreading a more tolerant version of the religion while countering the rise of extremist groups.
Recently, a group of scholars at Al-Azhar came under fire when they declared the Islamic State, a militant group responsible for perpetrating atrocities and human rights violations, as un-Islamic, thereby threatening the group’s legitimacy in the eyes of other Muslims.
Ahyani’s education is part of a larger global phenomenon of Islamic scholars seeking to promote moderate religious interpretations and countering the spread of extremist ideologies. While we are in the Holy month of Ramadan, it is timely for us to reflect on the need for promoting unity, harmony, and religious tolerance between our Muslim siblings and with individuals of other religions or faiths, whether during this month of fasting or throughout the year.
In conclusion, Ahyani’s pursuit of higher religious education in Egypt is a commendable effort that deserves more attention and support, given that it will contribute to promoting moderate Muslim thinking and countering extremism. Indonesia needs more individuals like Ahyani who can help bridge the divide and promote inclusive thinking and policies. Ramadan, after all, is not only about fasting, but also about reflecting on peace, forbearance, and the importance of education in seeking a better, more prosperous world.
