Indonesian and Egyptian students joined a clean-up and tree-planting campaign at Al-Azhar University’s Darrasah campus on Sunday, in an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries through youth co-operation.
The event, the first of its kind organised by Indonesia’s student community in Egypt, was led by the Indonesian Diaspora Network in co-operation with the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, the Egyptian Youth Council and Al-Azhar University.
About 70 participants took part in the initiative, which was held under the theme “Together in Action, Stronger in Collaboration”.
Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Kuncoro Giri Waseso and Al-Azhar’s Arabic Language Faculty dean, Professor Alaa Janib, planted trees in the university garden, symbolising friendship and a shared commitment to environmental protection.
“The activity provides a platform for interaction and cooperation among the youth of the two countries,” Waseso said, stressing that the Indonesian tradition of ‘gotong royong’, or mutual assistance, reflected solidarity, social responsibility and care for the environment.
Janib, representing Al-Azhar’s rector, said Egypt had been a close partner of Indonesia since the early years of the Indonesian republic, noting that Egypt was the first country to recognise Indonesia’s independence.
The two countries continue to co-operate in several fields, particularly education, through Al-Azhar University, he said.
Egyptian Youth Council chairman Mohammad Mamdouh said relations between Indonesia and Egypt extended beyond formal diplomacy and were also being strengthened through cooperation among young people.
The Indonesian Diaspora Network said the event was an expression of appreciation from Indonesian students to Al-Azhar, which has educated generations of Indonesians.
Organisers said the initiative would help deepen people-to-people ties and promote sustainable cooperation between the two countries.
