The Philippine and Indonesian governments are set to sign a deal that will offer scholarships to Filipino Muslims at an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said Monday.
The Madrasah scholarship will allow Muslim Filipinos to study in Indonesia’s Pondok Pesantren Darullughah Wadda’wah, which includes providing a cost-of-living allowance.
“The NCMF delegates’ mission to Jakarta has been fruitful as I am pleased to share that Directorate General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia informed its interest to open Madrasah scholarships for Muslim Filipinos in Pondok Pesantren Darullughah Wadda’Wah that already includes cost of living allowance,” NCMF Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim said in a statement Sunday.
Abdurahim said NCMF is arranging a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the scholarship and will soon announce the application process, period, and qualifications.
According to the NCMF, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta arranged the series of meetings between Filipino and Indonesian officials earlier this month.
The two countries are also exploring collaborations in organizing the Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
They are also developing an MOU certifying halal products, which is targeted to be finalized in March or April 2025.
According to Indonesia’s Hajj Organizing Agency, Muslims in Indonesia comprised 87.2% of its population in 2024. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News
