EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, Syafiq A. Mughni, welcomed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Indonesia, Redouane Houssaini, at the Muhammadiyah headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/7).

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in higher education, institutional partnerships, islamic education, and the implementation of an existing Memorandum of Understanding between Muhammadiyah and Moroccan Institutions. 

Ambassador Houssaini was accompanied by Youssra El Badmoussi, Counselor of the Moroccan Embassy. Syafiq was joined by Maskuri, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah’s Overseas Scholarship Team; Teguh Santosa from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation; and Armei from the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD).

Expanding Academic and Institutional Collaboration

Opening the meeting, Ambassador Houssaini expressed his appreciation for Muhammadiyah’s warm welcome. He described Muhammadiyah as one of the world’s largest Islamic organizations with a longstanding record in education, social services, and community empowerment, making it a strategic partner for Morocco. 

“It is an honor for us to meet Muhammadiyah’s leaders,” Houssaini said. “We regard Muhammadiyah as an Islamic organization with extensive experience in advancing education and serving the Muslim community.”

He affirmed that the Moroccan Embassy stands ready to facilitate broader cooperation between Muhammadiyah and institutions in Morocco. According to Houssaini, it is possible to develop three priority areas immediately. Those are partnerships between Moroccan universities and Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah universities, collaboration between Islamic institutions in both countries, and cooperation with Morocco’s religious education institutions. 

He also proposed organizing seminars or symposiums on moderate and tolerant Islam featuring Moroccan scholars. Such forums, he said, would provide opportunities for both countries to exchange perspectives on the practice of wasatiyyah (Islamic principle of moderation). 

Scholarship and Arabic Language Support

In the field of education, Houssaini further noted that the Moroccan government offers approximately 50 scholarships annually to Indonesian students through Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. He encouraged more Muhammadiyah members to take advantage of these opportunities by pursuing higher education in Morocco. 

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the MoU between Muhammadiyah and the Ma’had Mohammed VI Lil Qira’at wa Ad-Dirasat Al Qur’aniyyah. Houssaini said the Moroccan Embassy has coordinated with Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs to help ensure the agreement is put into practice.

“We are ready to support the implementation of this MoU,” he said. “If Muhammadiyah encounters any obstacles, the embassy will gladly convey them to the relevant ministry in Morocco.”

He also acknowledged that Arabic language proficiency remains one of the main challenges for Indonesian students wishing to study in Morocco. To address this, the embassy agrees to facilitate intensive Arabic language courses led by Moroccan instructors. It also plans to help simplify administrative procedures for Indonesian students and encourage Muhammadiyah’s participation in the Durus Hassania scholarly forum.

Turning Agreements into Concrete Programs

Responding to the proposals, Syafiq welcomed Morocco’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Muhammadiyah.

“We highly appreciate these opportunities for cooperation. Muhammadiyah is ready to deepen collaboration with Moroccan institutions in higher education, human resource development, and Islamic education,” He said

Syafiq expressed hope that the existing MoU would soon be translated into concrete initiatives, including faculty and student exchanges, joint research, expanded scholarship programs, and reciprocal visits between Muhammadiyah and educational institutions in Morocco.

He added that stronger ties between Muhammadiyah and Morocco would not only advance higher education and Islamic scholarship but also enhance human resource development and broaden Muhammadiyah’s international network. (Taufik)

 

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