Through the Nur Semesta Foundation, guests from the Hamidiye Foundation of Turkey visited the State Islamic University (UIN) Alauddin Makassar on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
The delegation was welcomed by the Head of AAKK Bureau, Dr. Kaswad Sartono, the Head of the International Office, Dr. Serliah Nur, and the Coordinator for Cooperation of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Ismi Sabriah, in the Rector’s Lounge, at the Rectorate Building, Campus II.
In his welcoming speech, the Head of AAKK Bureau, Dr. Kaswad Sartono, M.Ag., expressed his deep appreciation for the visit.
“Thank you for visiting UIN Alauddin Makassar, the largest university in Indonesia, particularly in eastern Indonesia, with approximately 30,000 students,” he stated.
The former Head of Islamic Religious Information and Zakat & Waqf Empowerment at the South Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs also shared an overview of the university, which consists of eight faculties, one postgraduate program, and around 1,000 lecturers.
He further emphasized that as one of the oldest Islamic universities in Indonesia, established in 1965, UIN Alauddin Makassar holds a mission of integrating religious and general knowledge.
“We implement an educational concept that highly values the integration of knowledge with religious principles, including in the field of information technology. All students are required to memorize Juz 30, and special scholarships are provided for Hafiz Quran,” added Dr. Kaswad.
The Hamidiye Foundation of Turkey, represented by its Head of International Affairs, Mehmet Temel, conveyed that the purpose of their visit was to strengthen ties and directly observe the “Said Nursi Corner” on campus.
Mehmet also highlighted the importance of intellectual and moral struggles taught by Said Nursi as a solution to modern challenges, particularly in countering global efforts that undermine the integrity of knowledge and faith among the younger generation.
“We are concerned about the proliferation of scientific journals influenced by atheism that aim to discredit Islam. It is crucial for us to counter this narrative by presenting balanced knowledge that integrates intellectual and moral aspects,” said Mehmet.
The Hamidiye Foundation also emphasized the importance of academic collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in journal writing, international seminars, and faculty and student exchanges.
To date, UIN Alauddin Makassar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nur Semesta Foundation, which has contributed by donating books authored by Said Nursi, as well as organizing public lectures and international conferences.
Dr. Kaswad expressed hope that this visit would serve as the initial step toward a closer strategic partnership with the Hamidiye Foundation.
“We are open to any form of collaboration, be it academic visits, seminars, or other development opportunities. May this synergy bring great benefits to both parties,” concluded Dr. Kaswad.
This visit by the Hamidiye Foundation is expected to strengthen UIN Alauddin Makassar’s international relations while solidifying its role as a center for knowledge development based on moderate Islamic values with a global orientation.
