The program was officially launched at the prestigious university on November 6.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said the program has enrolled 350 new students.
"This Indonesian Language and Literature program is the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, marking a significant milestone for the promotion of our national language," he stated.
Mu'ti highlighted Egypt's historic role as the first country to recognize Indonesia's independence.
He said one of the highlights of the inauguration ceremony was the performance of Tapak Suci martial arts and traditional pantun (poetry) by Bahasa Indonesia as a Foreign Language (BIPA) students, reflecting growing interest in Indonesian culture.
"The enthusiasm of the Egyptian public for the Indonesian language and culture is very high," the minister added.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's Education and Culture Attaché in Cairo, Abdul Muta'ali, said the process of securing the Al-Azhar Grand Council's decree (No. 343, dated July 12, 2025) took about one year and five months.
"The process began with preparing the curriculum, obtaining approval from the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar and the Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, and holding several presentations before the Grand Council," Muta'ali explained.
Al-Azhar University President Salamah Dawud said the new program is an important addition to the university's language offerings, which now include around 15 languages.
"Indonesian is now the 15th language taught at Al-Azhar University," he remarked, noting that the program's success will depend on Indonesia's support in providing qualified teachers.
He added that Indonesian students hold a special place in the hearts of Al-Azhar's academic community, as they are known for their noble character and politeness.
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Translator: Lintang, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Anton Santoso
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