VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo and several related high ranking officials Thursday (18/01) held a limited meeting to discuss the development of the International Islamic University of Indonesia (UIII). The limited meeting was held at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
Previously, President Joko Widodo on June 29, 2016 signed the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 57 of 2016 regarding the establishment of the university. It is done with consideration to increase the recognition of the international academic community over Islam in Indonesia and place it as one of the important elements of world civilization.

"For more than a year, I have signed a Presidential Regulation on the Establishment of the International Islamic University of Indonesia, I want to get a report on its progress and what kind of constraints it faces," he said in the meeting.

The Head of State then emphasized the reason why the International Islamic University of Indonesia was established although in Indonesia there have been many state Islamic universities. According to him, UIII is not only prepared to meet the need for education in the country, but also to answer the needs of the international community.

"This International Islamic University of Indonesia we form not only to respond to domestic needs, but formed primarily to answer the needs of the international community, to strengthen Indonesia's leadership in international, especially international Muslims," ​​he said.

In practice later, the International Islamic University of Indonesia is not only limited to teaching and learning activities but also directed to participate through diplomatic channels by spreading moderate, tolerant, democratic Islamic teachings and practices, and in accordance with the progress of the times to the international community.

Furthermore, the former governor of DKI Jakarta expressed the suggestions submitted by some Middle Eastern country leaders during the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jakarta some time before. According to him, young Indonesian Muslims studying in the Middle East are advised to study the economics of trade or petroleum.

"On the contrary, the Middle East young generation who wants to study in Indonesia should learn about Islam, becauseaccording to them, Islam in Indonesia is in its daily practice is true Islam (tolerant)," he continued.

For this reason the International Islamic University of Indonesia was established to primarily share the teachings and experiences of moderate and tolerant Islam that the Indonesian people run to the international world.

The leaders of the Middle East state that Islam in Indonesia is a moderate Islam.

"According to the Middle Eastyoung generation, Islam that exists in Indonesia is, in daily practice is a righteous, polite, moderate, tolerant Islam, and this is the best place to learn," said the President.

So the International Islamic University of Indonesia was formed to develop and disseminate moderate, tolerant, democratic Islamic teachings and practices of modern knowledge to the international community and to strengthen, disseminate Indonesian Islam.

So the mandate of the International Islamic University is different from the mandate of UIN.

"The mandate of the International Islamic University is a diplomatic mandate with a target for the international community," said the Head of State.

Therefore, it does not only play in the upstream, not only producing science but also primarily dissemination of Islamic teachings of Indonesia. Once again to share the teachings and experiences of moderate Islam Indonesia to the international community.
 
Later, the spread of moderate Islamic teachings is done through UIII graduates who come from various countries. "The graduate will be the ambassador of Indonesia, our ambassador," said the President.

Then it can also be done through the works of UIII which are distributed and disseminated to other countries.

"It can be in the form of books, scientific articles, in the form of art media, drama films, games and others, and also in the form of business model and sharia banking industry, halal industry, Muslim fashion and others," said President.
 
At the end of his introduction, the President asserted that UIII is different from UIN. "The mandate is different and certainly the faculty and the field of study are also different," he said./// (release Protocol, Press and Media Sector Secretariat of the President)