MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Nahla Shabry As-Sha’idy, Advisor to the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Egypt, visited Madrasah Mu’allimaat Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta on Friday, February 7 to engage in discussions with students, teachers, and staff. She was accompanied by the President of ‘Aisyiyah Salmah Orbayinah and other officials, along with former Muhammadiyah President Din Syamsuddin.
Director of the Madrasah Mu’allimaat Unik Rasyidah expressed her excitement over Prof. Nahla’s return visit. She highlighted their ongoing collaboration, particularly through the annual Arabic Camp in Egypt, where students study at Markaz Tathwir.
“Her visit is a great motivation for us to learn Arabic. It’s important for our students to understand that women should seek knowledge because it allows them to contribute meaningfully to their country, society, and religion,” said Unik.
Besides, Salmah Orbayinah emphasized the significance of Prof. Nahla’s presence, calling her a role model for women in education and leadership. She noted that ‘Aisyiyah, as the largest modern women’s organization in Indonesia, draws inspiration from Nahla’s work in promoting Islamic moderation.
“‘Aisyiyah’s vision for women aligns with Prof. Nahla’s thoughts. We hope to strengthen our collaboration in education, especially in research and academic writing,” Salmah stated.
Din Syamsuddin also encouraged students and staff to make the most of this opportunity by engaging in discussions, improving their Arabic skills, and exploring academic partnerships. He also stressed the importance of building strong relations between Muhammadiyah, ‘Aisyiyah, and Al-Azhar.
Meanwhile, Prof. Nahla expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirmed Al-Azhar’s commitment to working with educational institutions worldwide, including those in Indonesia. Currently, Al-Azhar collaborates with institutions in 37 countries where Muslim communities are present.
Beyond her advisory role, Prof. Nahla serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar and the Director of Markaz Tathwir, a center focused on developing international students. Recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Egypt, she has played a key role in advancing education and empowering women.
“We welcome collaboration in various fields. I hope Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah can send more students to study at Al-Azhar,” said Prof. Nahla.
She also emphasized that Al-Azhar offers more than just Arabic language training, providing educational and social programs, including initiatives in healthcare and support for orphans.
“We are open to cooperation. Learning Arabic is essential for Muslims, and we are ready to support Indonesian institutions in this effort. I hope this visit leads to further collaboration beyond today’s discussion,” she expressed.
