National Zakat Agency in Indonesia (Baznas RI), Muhammadiyah Institute for Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah (LazisMu), Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) through Ma’had Islam Rafiatul Akhyar (MIRA) donation of Ustadz Adi Hidayat (UAH) launched a scholarship program for Palestine citizens. The launching of the Palestine Scholarship Program was broadcast in Zoom Meeting and Youtube account of Baznas TV, Thursday (11/11).
In his remarks, Prof Dr Chairil Anwar, the Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah CHERD appreciated the trust given for the institutions to contribute to the program implementation. “Our concern about our brothers and sisters in Palestine urgently required a scholarship program. The scholarship originated from several sources and will be distributed to the higher education institutions involved in seven Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEI),” he said. The number of study programs offered for the first batch comprised of seven study programs in UM Yogyakarta, three study programs in Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), one study program in Unisa Yogyakarta, four study programs in UM Surakarta, three study programs in UM Malang, three study programs in Unismuh Makassar, and one study programs in Uhamka. The total of study programs offered is twenty-two (22) study programs on Master program (Strata-2). “InsyaAllah, each study program will be directly taught by our doctoral and professor lecturers,” he added.
Moreover, Palestine Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Zuhair Al Shun, expressed his gratitude for the opportunities given by the parties involved in the program. “I hope through this program, we can elevate our good relations between Indonesia and Palestine. Palestine students have a significant interest in Exact Science, Technology, Engineering, and Health Science,” he said. He expected there would be various collaborations ahead between Palestine and Indonesia.
In his remarks, Muhammad Sabeth Abilawa, President Director of LazisMu also explained the program becomes a breakthrough given to the Palestine citizens. “One effort to establish peace is to improve the quality of human resources,” he said. Through this scholarship, two purposes ensued in long term were promoting Islam Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin (the mercy for the whole universe) and strengthening zakat and civil society as NGOs.
Prof Dr KH Noor Achmad, MA, the Chairman of Baznas RI, explained Palestine’s problems become a long-drawn-out conflict. However, through support from all parties, Palestine will gain independence and glory shortly. “To gain it, undoubtedly, we should develop the human resources. This program aimed to provide better education access to Palestine communities,” he concluded. Prof Achmad also expressed his thankfulness to the Quantum Akhyar Institute led by Ustadz Adi Hidayat for the assistance given.
The Palestine Scholarship Program will be divided into two programs, a Master Program (2-years program) and a Short Course (1-month program). The list of universities that joined the program was divided into two batches. Firstly, UAD, UNISA, Unismuh Makassar, UM Malang, Uhamka, UM Surakarta, and UM Yogyakarta. The second batch includes UM Palembang, UM Tangerang, UM Sidenreng Rappang, Unisa Yogyakarta, and UM Jakarta. The scholarship scope facilitated for the Master Program is 20 students, while the short course program is for 25 students. As for the fund provided including the full-tuition fees, living allowance, bridging course, establishment allowance, air travel payment, health assurance cover, Indonesia visa payment, PCR, and quarantine procedures.
