Muslim EduFest 2024 will feature representatives from the Islamic University of Madinah, who are expected to present materials about studying in Madinah and 25 other universities in Saudi Arabia.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Islamic education exhibition, Muslim EduFest, will be held on August 30-September 1, 2024 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in Tangerang city, Banten province, along with Muslim LifeFest and the Jakarta Halal Expo and Conference (JHEC).

One of the important programs in the Islamic education exhibition, Muslim EduFest, is the presence of representatives from the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, the Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Da'wah and Education Institutions Association (Puldapii), Dr. Ali Saman, told a press conference here on Thursday.

"The Islamic University of Madinah is the 'prima donna' for students to continue their studies. University representatives from the student registration section will present topics about studying in Madinah and 25 other universities in Saudi Arabia,” he explained, adding that the program is believed to attract many visitors, especially parents and guardians of students who are targeting to study in the Middle Eastern country.

According to the founder of the Al-Wafi Islamic Boarding School Foundation, the Muslim EduFest which is held in conjunction with the Muslim LifeFest will make it easier for parents and educational institutions in general to obtain information about Islamic education, from kindergarten to college.

He continued, “During the Islamic education exhibition, guardians or parents will find Islamic schools which are suitable for their children's education, in terms of their jobs, location, facilities, and so on.”

Dr. Ali observes that most of Indonesian people still view Islamic schools as an alternative.

“Muslim EduFest is expected to change this view, that Islamic education, Islamic boarding school education can be compared with other schools,” he said.

He pointed out that the Islamic schools that will participate in Muslim EduFest are members of Puldapii, either affiliated with the Ministry of Religion or the Ministry of Education.

"Currently, Puldapii members are 150 institutions or foundations that on average oversee 2-3 schools, with grade or accreditation A or B. Most of these schools are in capital Jakarta and surrounding areas. The number of high school students reached 75,000, according to data from four years ago," Dr. Ali noted.

He is optimistic that Muslim EduFest would attract many visitors because - in addition to displaying school profiles - these Islamic educational institutions have business units including Umrah travel agents.

Dr. Ali also believes that Muslim EduFest would be a way to extend the list of Puldapii members because the number of Islamic-based schools continues to grow, especially those in Bogor, West Java, with their respective uniqueness.

He hopes that the Islamic education exhibition can be held twice a year, namely in August and January, following the schedule for accepting new students at Islamic schools.

Reporting by Indonesia Window