RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said that the Indonesian government plans to discuss the opening of a branch campus of Al-Azhar University in Indonesia. He conveyed this ahead of his departure to Egypt to carry out a mandate from President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Prior to his departure at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Minister explained that the visit was a follow-up to the President’s directive regarding opportunities for educational cooperation with Al-Azhar, as previously discussed in a number of bilateral meetings among Muslim-majority countries.

“I will follow up on the President’s instructions regarding the possibility of cooperating with Al-Azhar in Indonesia, as has been discussed in several bilateral meetings of Muslim countries,” the Minister said before departing from Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

According to the Minister, opening a branch of Al-Azhar University in Indonesia could be an effective solution for students from Southeast Asia who currently have to travel long distances to Egypt to pursue their studies. With a branch campus in Indonesia, access to internationally recognized, high-quality Islamic education would become more open and inclusive.

“It is time for Al-Azhar to be supported by opening a branch in Indonesia, so that children from Southeast Asia do not need to go to Egypt. They can simply come to Indonesia, while Al-Azhar lecturers and learning facilities are provided here,” the Minister remarked.

In addition to expanding access to Islamic education, the Minister believes that this initiative could also ease the burden on Al-Azhar University and the Egyptian government, which are currently facing a growing number of international students as well as economic and social pressures, including the impact of large-scale refugee inflows.

“Egypt is currently overloaded. In addition to bearing a large number of refugees, it is also facing a growing number of international students, while its economic burden remains heavy,” the Minister explained.

The idea of opening an Al-Azhar branch in Indonesia, the Minister added, has received support from several friendly countries, including Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan. This support strengthens the prospects for realizing cross-border educational cooperation based on solidarity within the Muslim world. The cooperation schemes to be discussed include various options, such as dual degree programs, joint faculty arrangements, and the direct provision of education in Indonesia with lecturers from Al-Azhar University.