Kota Kinabalu: An Indonesian Islamic organization, ‘Al Jam’iyatul Washliyah’ is continuing its 52-year mission of Islamic outreach by strengthening university-level educational cooperation in Sabah.
Its President and General Manager, Kiyai Dr Masyhuril Khamis, said the collaboration will include student and lecturer exchanges, which are currently being prepared in Indonesia.
Through these exchanges, he said they believe educational ties between both sides can be enhanced.
In terms of science and education, he said both countries are equally strong, but collaboration has yet to be fully realized.
“This cooperation is crucial, particularly in developing the younger generation. Indonesia and Malaysia — especially Indonesia and Sabah — are brothers who cannot be separated by national borders.
“We hope this strength will continue to grow out of the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly Sabah,” Dr Masyhuril said.
The visit was aimed at strengthening ties between ‘Al Jam’iyatul Washliyah’ and Sabah, following the deployment of 19 Indonesian preachers to the State between 1974 and 1975.
Meanwhile, Datuk Jalidar Abd Rahim, one of the first-generation preachers sent by the organization to Sabah, recalled their contribution to Islamic development through missionary work and education since 1974.
“Time has passed quickly. Of the 19 whom were sent, only four of us are still alive today, and we are all quite elderly now.
“During that period, many initiatives were carried out to develop Islam. Our presence was warmly welcomed by Sabah’s Chief Minister at the time, Tun Mustapha, who hoped we could help drive Islamisation in the State.
“Back then, Muslims made up only around 20 percent of the population, but today the number has reached 70 per cent, largely due to the missionary movement carried out,” he said.
In 1974, Tun Mustapha sought help from former Indonesian Prime Minister Buya Muhammad Natsir to find qualified Islamic preachers, a task that was entrusted to Indonesian Islamic scholar and literary figure Dr Hamka.
The selection process was conducted at Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU), where candidates were tested in 12 subjects, with supervision from the Sabah Mufti at the time.
Its President and General Manager, Kiyai Dr Masyhuril Khamis, said the collaboration will include student and lecturer exchanges, which are currently being prepared in Indonesia.
Through these exchanges, he said they believe educational ties between both sides can be enhanced.
In terms of science and education, he said both countries are equally strong, but collaboration has yet to be fully realized.
“This cooperation is crucial, particularly in developing the younger generation. Indonesia and Malaysia — especially Indonesia and Sabah — are brothers who cannot be separated by national borders.
“We hope this strength will continue to grow out of the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly Sabah,” Dr Masyhuril said.
The visit was aimed at strengthening ties between ‘Al Jam’iyatul Washliyah’ and Sabah, following the deployment of 19 Indonesian preachers to the State between 1974 and 1975.
Meanwhile, Datuk Jalidar Abd Rahim, one of the first-generation preachers sent by the organization to Sabah, recalled their contribution to Islamic development through missionary work and education since 1974.
“Time has passed quickly. Of the 19 whom were sent, only four of us are still alive today, and we are all quite elderly now.
“During that period, many initiatives were carried out to develop Islam. Our presence was warmly welcomed by Sabah’s Chief Minister at the time, Tun Mustapha, who hoped we could help drive Islamisation in the State.
“Back then, Muslims made up only around 20 percent of the population, but today the number has reached 70 per cent, largely due to the missionary movement carried out,” he said.
In 1974, Tun Mustapha sought help from former Indonesian Prime Minister Buya Muhammad Natsir to find qualified Islamic preachers, a task that was entrusted to Indonesian Islamic scholar and literary figure Dr Hamka.
The selection process was conducted at Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU), where candidates were tested in 12 subjects, with supervision from the Sabah Mufti at the time.