Depok, March 4, 2026 — The Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) hosted a special Ramadan gathering on Wednesday afternoon, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universitas Syeikh Nawawi Banten (USNB), followed by a community iftar and an inspiring religious lecture by former Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.

Held at the Procession Hall on the third floor of the Rectorate Building at the UIII campus in Depok, the event brought together university leaders, faculty members, staff, and students in a warm atmosphere that blended academic collaboration with spiritual reflection during the holy month of Ramadan.

The MoU was formally signed by Prof. Jamhari Makruf, PhD Rector of UIII, and Hj. Siti Haniatunnisa, LLB., MH, Rector of USNB. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in education, research, and community service, while advancing the development of Islamic scholarship in Indonesia.

USNB takes its name from Nawawi al-Bantani, the renowned 19th-century Indonesian Islamic scholar whose works continue to influence Islamic intellectual traditions across the Muslim world.

In his remarks, Rector Jamhari highlighted the importance of building partnerships among Islamic higher education institutions.

“This MoU signing reflects our commitment to building synergistic partnerships with fellow Islamic universities across Indonesia. Through collaboration in education, research, and community engagement, we hope to contribute to the development of Islamic scholarship and create broader opportunities for academic exchange,” he said.

The ceremony was followed by a communal iftar, allowing members of the UIII academic community to break the fast together and strengthen the spirit of ukhuwah (brotherhood) on campus.

Delivering the keynote tausiyah, Prof. Dr. (HC) KH Ma’ruf Amin added a deeper spiritual meaning to the occasion. A senior Islamic scholar and prominent figure in Nahdlatul Ulama, he described the partnership as a form of majma‘ al-bahrain—“the meeting of two seas.” According to him, the collaboration between UIII and USNB represents the convergence of two shared visions: the development of outstanding and excellent human resources, and the advancement of forward-looking academic and intellectual scholarship in Islamic and religious studies.

Such cooperation, he emphasized, is essential for nurturing a new generation of scholars who are firmly rooted in Islamic knowledge while remaining open to global intellectual engagement.

UIII University Secretary Chaider S. Bamualim also underscored the importance of academic partnerships for the university’s long-term development.

“Academic collaboration is vital for strengthening UIII’s institutional capacity and expanding opportunities for joint research and educational initiatives. Events like this also reinforce the spirit of togetherness within our academic community during the blessed month of Ramadan,” he said.

The gathering concluded with a warm and meaningful breaking of the fast, reflecting both the spirit of Ramadan and UIII’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships across Indonesia’s higher education landscape. []