Strengthening International Cooperation in Uzbekistan, UNU Jogja Initiates Indonesian Language Program to Welcome 100,000 Pilgrims to Imam Bukhari’s Mausoleum

Samarkand, Uzbekistan – The Acting Rector of Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), Dr. Fahmi Akbar Idries, together with the First Rector Prof. Purwo Santoso and the Second Rector Widya Priyahita Pudjibudojo, visited the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center (IBISRC) on Monday (2/2).

The visit, organized by the Lembaga Pendidikan Tinggi Nahdlatul Ulama (LPTNU), was attended by 22 leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama-affiliated universities. The delegation was welcomed by IBISRC Director Prof. Shovosil Ziyodov, Head of the Imam Bukhari Complex Husanov Sherali Yoriy evich, and Head of the Imam Bukhari Pilgrimage Tourism Development Department Dr. Shukrullo Umarov.

The two-hour meeting resulted in seven strategic cooperation opportunities between LPTNU and IBISRC. The scope of collaboration includes joint research and academic studies, international conferences, fellowship researcher programs, academic tourism, strengthening Islamic education, signing of memoranda of understanding, and promotion of Umrah-plus-Uzbekistan programs for Indonesian Muslims, particularly Nahdliyin.

During the meeting, the Government of Uzbekistan expressed its target to increase the number of Indonesian pilgrims. In the initial phase, at least 100,000 Indonesian pilgrims are expected to visit the Imam Bukhari Complex through the support of Indonesian Umrah travel operators.

In response to this opportunity, Dr. Fahmi Akbar Idries emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening the role of the Indonesian language. The growing enthusiasm of Indonesian Muslims to visit Imam Bukhari’s mausoleum opens opportunities for collaboration in language education for local officers and tour guides.

“LPTNU can take part as a partner in Indonesian language education relevant to religious and Islamic civilization issues, while also enhancing the linguistic capacity of local tour guides,” he stated.

The proposal received a positive response from the Uzbek side, which considers human resource readiness essential in welcoming the anticipated increase of Indonesian pilgrims in the coming years.

Expanding Educational and Tourism Cooperation with Three Uzbek Institutions

In addition to visiting IBISRC, the LPTNU delegation also visited Bukhara State University (BUKSHU), where they were welcomed by Vice Rector for Cooperation, Abror Juraev, on Tuesday (30/1). Both parties agreed to collaborate in agricultural and plantation research, tourism economic development, and athletic programs.

Abror Juraev affirmed that BUKSHU is ready to facilitate student and athlete exchange programs, training initiatives, and to host lecturers and researchers for plant development and agricultural cultivation research.

The delegation then continued its visit to the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan (IIAU) and the Imam Maturidi International Scientific Research Center (IMISRC) in Tashkent on Tuesday (3/2). The institutions agreed on cooperation in scientific article publication and journal management, joint supervision for master’s and doctoral programs, and scholarship opportunities for advanced studies in Islamic studies.

At the conclusion of the visit, the LPTNU delegation met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Prof. Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, at the Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia di Tashkent.

The meeting served as a moment of reflection and reaffirmation of the cooperation initiatives explored throughout the visit. In her remarks, Prof. Siti Ruhaini expressed hope that the collaboration between LPTNU and various Uzbek educational institutions would go beyond formal agreements and be realized through concrete, impactful programs.

She emphasized that synergy in education, research, and human resource development plays a vital role in educational diplomacy, strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Uzbekistan. Through mutually beneficial cooperation, sustainable academic networks are expected to flourish and further enhance the global partnership between the two nations. [Latifah]