REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MALANG -- Assistant Rector for International Cooperation, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Soeparto, said Muslim College London, United Kingdom, wants to study Islam in Indonesia.
"Muslim College London wants to study Islam in Indonesia. In addition, they also want to learn our culture, history, and many things about Indonesia," Soeparto said here on Tuesday.
He said the plan to study Islam at UMM was presented by the Head of the Muslim College, London, Dr. Mohamed M Benotman, and academic coordinator, Dr. Faissal Hameed, when they gave a guest lecture at UMM on Monday (Feb. 15).
The Muslim College London's delegates also explored possibilities of cooperation with UMM for student and lecturer exchange as well as the facility for Indonesian lecturers to study at the college.
In the near future, UMM lecturers will be invited to attend guest lectures about Islam in the Muslim College. "The UMM students who want to continue their studies will have access to the Muslim College," he said.
Meanwhile, UMM offers several programs of summer courses for the Muslim College. Lecturers of the Muslim College will also be invited to deliver a guest lecture at the UMM. These activities will start this year.
According to Benotman, in 1971, the population of Muslims in the UK was only about 500 thousand and there were only 30 mosques. By 2011, the number of mosques had increased to 1,500 and the population of Muslims had increased to about 5 million.
Initially, the students studying at the Muslim College were Muslim, but now there are also Christians and Jews. They study at the Muslim College to understand Islam and thus help in enhancing religious tolerance in Britain.
Although Islam is a minority religion in the UK, it has been appreciated in the country. In fact, Prince Charles frequently visits the campus to have a dialogue on the development of Islam in the UK with the academics and students.
The UMM Rector, Fauzan, said Islam in Indonesia grew as people inherited it while in the UK it grew as a result of Islamic propaganda.
"We hope the Muslim College UK is able to help Islam grow in the country," Fauzan said.
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