Jember, NU Online
The Islamic University of Jember (UIJ), East Java, has established cooperation in the field of Aswaja studies development with the Pattani Islamic Religious Council (MAIP), Deep Southern Thailand. The cooperation was passed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Thailand by both parties.<>

The signing was coincided with the sending of five students of UIJ to carry out Field Work Experience / Internship (KKN) and Education Field Practice (PPL) program in Pattani recently.

According to the Deputy Rector of UIJ, Moh. Qurtubi, the cooperation is carried out because the people in deep southern Thailand have mostly adopted the teachings of Ahlussunnah wal Jama'ah (Aswaja).

"So their religious practices are the same as ours which are mainly based on the ideology of Aswaja," he told NU Online here on Tuesday (16/12).

While the five students carrying out the KKN program in Pattani have taught Indonesian language in educational institutions run by the MAIP. Indonesian language there, Qurtubi said, was an important communication tool for students of MAIP and around Pattani.

"There are similarities in creed, and Indonesian language is also important there," he said, adding that the leaders of MAIP had formerly been to the UIJ and signed an MoU on the lecturers and students exchange. At this point, MAIP would send its students to study in UIJ. And vice versa.

The vive students accompanied by the Rector of UIJ, Dodiek Sutikno and Head of Student Affairs, Samanhoedi were warmly received by one of the MAIP senior leaders, H. Sihabuddin bin Walon. They will be in Thailand for five months.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq