RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, said that the Indonesian government plans to discuss the opening of a branch campus of Al-Azhar University in Indonesia. He conveyed this ahead of his departure to Egypt to carry out a mandate from President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Prior to his departure at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Minister explained that the visit was a follow-up to the President’s directive regarding opportunities for educational cooperation with Al-Azhar, as previously discussed in a number of bilateral meetings among Muslim-majority countries.

“I will follow up on the President’s instructions regarding the possibility of cooperating with Al-Azhar in Indonesia, as has been discussed in several bilateral meetings of Muslim countries,” the Minister said before departing from Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

According to the Minister, opening a branch of Al-Azhar University in Indonesia could be an effective solution for students from Southeast Asia who currently have to travel long distances to Egypt to pursue their studies. With a branch campus in Indonesia, access to world-class Islamic education would become more open and inclusive.

“It is time for Al-Azhar to be supported by opening a branch in Indonesia, so that students from Southeast Asia do not need to go to Egypt. They can simply come to Indonesia, while Al-Azhar lecturers and learning facilities are provided here,” he remarked.

In addition to expanding access to Islamic education, the Minister believes that this initiative could also alleviate the pressure on Al-Azhar University and the Egyptian government, which are currently facing a growing number of international students as well as economic and social pressures, including the impact of large-scale refugee inflows.