Read also: Depok community wants to turn Rumah Cimanggis into museum

The plan arose when Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani visited Egypt and met with Al Azhar’s grand imam, Ahmed Muhammad Ahmed el-Tayeb, in Cairo on Thursday. The agenda was cooperation in the development of Islam.

Indonesia wants UIII to become the center of international Islamic studies, attracting both domestic and foreign students. It will be built on 142.5 hectares, however its development plan has been met with protests from heritage activists because it would demolish a historical building called Rumah Cimanggis, which was built between 1771 and 1775.

Puan said as quoted by kompas.com that UIII would need lecturers with competitive edge. She said the grand imam welcomed Indonesia’s invitation. The grand imam also said he was happy to meet with a family member of Indonesian first president Sukarno.

According to government data, about 4,600 Indonesians has studied at Al Azhar in Egypt. Puan said she was proud because the alumni returned to Indonesia and became public figures.

“The government wants to develop a moderate Islam curriculum, from elementary education to higher education,” she said. (evi)

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