UNU Jogja Islamic Studies Lecturer Selected as Judge at International Scientific Olympiad in Russia

Kazan, Russia — Ahmad Hujaj Nurrohim, a lecturer from the Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies (SII) Program at UNU Jogja, was appointed as a judge at the International Olympiad on Islamic Knowledge and the Arabic Language held at the Russian Islamic University on Wednesday, November 12.

His participation marks Indonesia’s academic representation in the prestigious competition, which brought together students from 20 Islamic universities worldwide. The event served not only as a competitive arena but also as a platform for academic diplomacy among Muslim-majority nations.

The Olympiad assessed participants in three primary categories: Islamic Law, Fundamentals of Religion, and the Arabic Language. In addition to written examinations, students underwent direct oral communication tests in Arabic before an international panel of judges.

Organizers highlighted Indonesia as one of the countries contributing significantly to the advancement of contemporary Islamic studies. The involvement of an academic from UNU Jogja further strengthened this image, especially amid growing global interest in Indonesia’s model of moderate Islamic education.

Ahmad Hujaj Nurrohim expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a judge in this international event. He emphasized that the competition not only evaluated academic competence but also fostered strong collaboration among Islamic education institutions worldwide.

“We are honored to represent Indonesia and meet delegations from various Muslim countries. Despite the extremely cold weather, the warmth shown by the committee and the people of Kazan was remarkable. This is my first visit to Russia, and it has been an unforgettable experience,” he said. [Latifah]