Kandangan, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Hulu Sungai (HSS) District received a visit of a delegation of Al-Azhar University based in Cairo, Egypt. They performed the congregational Isha prayer and gave a ceramah (religious preach) at the Taqwa Grand Mosque, Kandangan.
The visit to HSS was one of their agenda in Indonesia, especially in South Kalimantan. They also visited the Antasari Islamic State University (UIN) of Banjarmasin as recourceperson for an international seminar.
"Welcome and a big thank you to Al-Azhar delegates who are here tonight," said Chairperson of HSS MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) KH Jamhari Muhdin, Saturday night (March 5, 2022).
Head of the Al-Azhar Jakarta delegation Syeikh Ali Ibrahim Abdullah told the story of early construction of Al-Azhar Foundation, namely by building a mosque first.
"It was like what the Prophet Muhammad Shallahu alaihi wassallam did after hijrah from Mecca to Medina," he said in his ceramah translated by Chairman of Al-Azhar Foundation Syeikh Ahmed Eid Ahmed Zaky.
HSS Regent H Achmad Fikry said the arrival of Al-Azhar University delegation is expected to provide motivation for santri (Islamic boarding school students) in the district, that many of them will study there.
"Especially now there is a scholarship program from HSS government for outstanding santri who want to continue their studies abroad," he said.
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It was seen that the enthusiasm of the community was very high in participating this religious event, as well as socialization, which was supported and facilitated by HSS government.
Also attending the Regional Secretary H. Muhammad Noor, religious scholars (alim ulama), MUI HSS, officials, DMI HSS, representatives of HSS Office of Religious Affairs Ministry, leaders of Islamic boarding schools, and santri.
After the activity at the Grand Mosque of Taqwa Kandangan, the delegation was scheduled to go directly to Loksado.
After the Fajr prayer, they planned to share religous knowledge to the remote preachers, then they would enjoy the natural beauty of Loksado by bamboo rafting.
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