High Calibre Young Muslim Leaders Wanted

Photo credit: Ms Siti Hanifah (participant of MEP 2013)

Applications are now being sought from young Indonesian Muslim leaders to take part in the 2014 Muslim Exchange Program (MEP).

The Charge d’Affairs at the Australian Embassy, Dr David Engel, encouraged high-calibre, young Muslim leaders to apply for the chance to represent Indonesia in Australia and to learn more about Australia’s multicultural society.

“This is an important opportunity for young Muslims in Indonesia to promote interfaith understanding, cooperation and mutual respect and celebrate the diversity of both countries and their similarities. Participants would become international representatives for Islam in Indonesia,” Dr Engel said.

“Two groups of five young Indonesians will be in Australia for two weeks during the first half of 2014. They will visit Muslim communities and organisations, as well take part in Australian cultural activities,” he said. A group of young Australian Muslim leaders will undertake a similar program in Indonesia.

The Muslim Exchange Program builds links between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia and is funded by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII). The AII works to foster greater understanding and people to people to people links between Australia and Indonesia.

Ms Siti Hanifah was a participant in the program in 2013. Her group visited Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

“It was an amazing experience to see multiculturalism and Islam in Australia and how interfaith dialogue supports freedom of religion in the community,” Ms Hanifah said.

Paramadina University is the coordinator for the selection process for Indonesian participants and has been doing so since the program began in 2002.

Further information about the program and application process is available at www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au and www.paramadina.ac.id. Applications close on Thursday 23 January 2014.

Media Enquiries (not for publication):
Vicki Miller, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304