Stories of IPB University Students Learning Japanese Culture Through CIBEST Program Titled Japan Cultural Exchange
Fadhley Muhammad Zulkifli, a student of IPB University from the Department of Sharia Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) shared his experience of participating in the Japan Cultural Exchange (JCC) program.
He became one of the delegates of the Center for Islamic Business and Economic Studies (CIBEST) IPB University along with two students from the same department and one student from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta).
JCC is a cultural exchange program held by CIBEST, a research institute at IPB University that focuses on sharia economic and business issues. The program is supported by Dompet Dhuafa Japan, Dompet Dhuafa Cordofa, PT Pertamina (Persero), and Japan Da’wah Centre. The program offers a fully-funded cultural exchange to Japan, namely Tokyo and Osaka for two months.
Fadhley said, in the first month under the auspices of Dompet Dhuafa Japan and Ainul Yaqeen Foundation, the program he participated in focused on fostering Muslim residents in the city of Tokyo.
The main goal is to preserve the religion of Muslims in the second and third generations. Research proves that at the age of 20, the average muslim there apostatizes after celebrating Seijin no Hi or Adult Day.
“Then in Osaka, under the auspices of the Japan Da’wah Center, this program focuses on fostering converts. The meaning of converts here is not only people who have said two sentences of shahada, but those who are interested in Islam and already have an interest in studying Islam,” Fadhley told IPB Public Relations, (6/3).
“What is interesting is the hippo family (host family) program. We got a family and lived with local Japanese people in Osaka/Nara for several days. We had the opportunity to get to know the culture and also talk directly with local Japanese residents,” continued the 58th batch of IPB University students.
During the program, Fadhley learned a lot. First, about changes in the mindset of applying Islamic teachings in the aspect of manners in life.
Second, it turns out that Japan is a country that is friendly to Islam and upholds tolerance. Third, the opportunity for da’wah in Sakura Country is very large and requires converts from Indonesia who are known to be tolerant and not strict in religion, so that Islam can enter through cultural and familial aspects in Japan.
“Hopefully this program can improve self-development and independence, build international relations, and of course improve careers in the future,” he hoped.
The program that Fadhley joined in the November 2024-January 2025 period was the first batch. He said, in the future a similar program will be reopened by CIBEST IPB University. The initial requirements that need to be prepared are having a passport, mastering english (spoken), and mastering basic Islamic understanding such as akidah and fiqh.
“For the stages, there will be a file selection and a two-stage interview. The first stage of the interview is about the motivation to participate in the activity and the second stage is about Islamic knowledge. After the announcement, there will be debriefing for the participants. Everything related to departure preparation will be taken care of by the organizers along with accommodation costs,” he said. (MHT) (IAAS/RMH)
