With strong determination, five students from the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyyah (FDI) will carry out an Independent International Community Service Program (KKN) in Japan and South Korea. After passing several selection stages organized by PPM UIN Jakarta, third-year students Idul Akbar, Muhammad Falih, and Kebba Lang Songko, a foreign student from Gambia, were chosen as UIN Jakarta’s delegates to carry out KKN in Japan. Meanwhile, two other students, Fadia Alaniyah and Widad Rahma Sofia, will carry out their KKN in South Korea. The KKN program, which will take place from July to August, will focus on Islamic preaching activities at mosques and among the Indonesian diaspora. Therefore, participants must have a strong knowledge of religion, English, preferably a background from pesantren, and beautiful Qur'anic recitation.

"During our KKN in Japan, we will preach, serve as imams and muezzins at the mosques there, so we need to be able to speak English at least for daily conversations," said Falih, one of the participants going to Japan.

The KKN activities in South Korea will also focus on Islamic preaching. Additionally, various events related to promoting Islam in this Land of the Morning Calm will be held. "In South Korea, the Muslim population is still small. Therefore, we will also hold activities such as a Halal Food event to introduce halal food to the locals," said Widad.

Although they will be in a Muslim minority country and all funding is self-supported, the participants are motivated to join the International KKN to gain experience, expand networks, and develop the potential and knowledge they have gained at FDI. "Because South Korea is a country I have been interested in for a long time, in terms of education, art, and other aspects. I already know quite a bit about South Korea, it’s not a foreign country to me. Secondly, I feel this is my field. I truly feel this is my area, as the KKN program relates to religion, and my studies also focus on that, so I feel more confident about this program," explained Fadia when asked about her motivation for participating in the International KKN.

In addition to fulfilling their campus duties, the participants hope that this KKN experience will serve as a platform to develop their potential and bring pride to UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, particularly the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyyah. "The reason I chose KKN in Japan is first, to dedicate myself to the community there. Secondly, to show that UIN Syarif Hidayatullah and the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyyah can produce leaders, scholars, imams, and many careers that students from various backgrounds and continents around the world want to pursue. Thirdly, to show to the community and people out there that the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyyah is the perfect place to study Islam and encourage them to come or send their children to learn religion at FDI," explained Kebba.

(Journalism Team: Minkhatul Maula Sofa, Editor: Lisda Vebi Angelina).