IMPAK MAHASISWA UNIVERSITI AL-AZHAR DALAM PEMBANGUNAN INTELEKTUAL DI MALAYSIA: SATU SOROTAN SEJARAH

Abstract

The Western narrative has long been found to disparage the contributions of Islamic figures and important institutions to the development of nations. This includes the present era, where graduates of Al-Azhar University are also portrayed negatively by associating them with academic shortcomings, insufficient human skills, the influence of political conservatism, and other negative elements. Therefore, this article explores the contributions of Al-Azhar University students and their impact on intellectual development in Malaysia. The researcher adopts a fully qualitative research approach, combining literature review and interviews and conducting a historical analysis. The study findings reveal that the positive contributions of Al-Azhar University to the development of Islam in Malaysia have been unfairly overlooked by certain parties, following the skeptical and negative approach taken by Western colonial powers. The university, renowned for its idealistic Islamic ethos, has proven to produce alumni who have played proactive and effective roles as intellectual leaders of the community since before independence until now. However, there is still room for improvement in the academic achievements and personal skills of Malaysian graduates from Al-Azhar to face the challenges of a more demanding global and modern world.