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26 Nov 2024

Salwa Maziyatun Najah: Inspiring Youth in Islamic Education to Embrace the Beauty of Cultural Diversity

When Salwa Maziyatun Najah was a first-year student at her Islamic high school in Pasuruan, East Java, there was one place she often visited during breaks: the language corner. Her fascination with English deepened when she met Jet, an Australian volunteer at her school. Jet inspired Salwa to enhance her English skills and introduced her to the idea of cultural exchange by connecting her with an Australian pen pal eager to learn Bahasa Indonesia.

This initial encounter sparked a lifelong passion in Salwa for cross-cultural understanding. Years later, she transformed her interest into action by fostering relationships between Indonesia and Australia through initiatives that connect students and empower youth.

Now a mother of five, Salwa serves as the Program Director of the Foreign Language and Multicultural Learning Centre at Al-Yasini Integrated Islamic Boarding School in Pasuruan. She is also a prominent member of Fatayat NU, a women's wing of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organisation, dedicated to empowering women. Through her efforts, she has significantly impacted her local and international communities.

Leadership and Cultural Diplomacy

Salwa’s journey from a curious student to a cultural ambassador came full circle in 2023 when she successfully initiated a pen pal program between Al-Yasini and the Australian International Academy of Education (AIA), Melbourne’s oldest Islamic school. The one-month program led to a formal partnership between the two schools, paving the way for teacher and student exchanges.

“One of AIA’s aspirations is to participate in Bahasa Indonesia classes at SMK Sultan Al-Yasini vocational high school via Zoom, which we hope to organise in the upcoming academic year,” Salwa shared.

Salwa’s commitment to leadership and cultural diplomacy extended beyond Al-Yasini. In 2022, she participated in the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP), an experience that strengthened her understanding of interfaith dialogue and collaboration.

Salwa has leveraged her AIMEP 2022 network to benefit her community, notably through a seminar at STAI Al-Yasini college Pasuruan in November 2022. The event introduced students to the concept of moderation in religion and society, featuring insights from Brynna Rafferty Brown, AIMEP’s Program Director, and Dania Roumie, a Muslim journalist from Australia.

In March 2023, Salwa and AIMEP alumni raised over IDR 11 million through a Ramadan Fundraising initiative to support orphans in Indonesia and homeless communities in Australia. “With the help of Australian influencer Lydia Tesema, we plan to continue this program in 2025,” she shared.

Empowering Women and Youth

In 2023, Salwa participated in the Australia Awards Short Course on Leadership for Youth Interfaith Women Leaders at Deakin University. It provided her with insights into international-standard program management and leadership development.

“One of the sessions was learning from Dr. Rebecca Barlow of the Alfred Deakin Institute in Melbourne, about setting objectives and measuring program success,” Salwa said. She also appreciated the diverse perspectives brought by speakers, including government officials and NGO leaders.

The program included visits to Australian NGOs such as WIRE Women Support & Information, which assists women affected by domestic violence and mental health challenges, and Fitted for Work, which supports women returning to the workforce.

Drawing from her experience in Australia, Salwa developed a leadership training program at Al-Yasini, targeting 20 female students from diverse cultural backgrounds. The program aimed to uncover their leadership potential, build confidence, and foster friendships across differences. The training particularly focused on students from minority groups, empowering them to embrace their identities and maximise their potential.

Salwa invited fellow Short Course participants, namely Imayati Kalean from HMI Muslim student organisation and Regina Nadya Suwono, a young politician from Kediri, to mentor the students.

“The participants were inspired by seeing role models who overcome similar challenges,” she explained.

Strengthening Community and Supporting Women in Crisis

Salwa’s initiatives include community-driven events promoting cultural exchange and social impact. In February 2024, she organised the Al-Yasini Lughoh Competition, an English contest for students across East Java. It introduced participants to Australian culture through Aboriginal stories and Australian poetry, enriching their understanding of diversity. The event received support from the Australian Consul General in Surabaya, Fiona Hoggart, who even attended the competition.

Salwa’s community efforts extend beyond education. She has also made strides in empowering women in crisis. Inspired by her training at WIRE in Melbourne, she adapted their techniques to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Pasuruan. She trained 19 Fatayat NU Pasuruan cadres in communication and advocacy skills, which are now applied in 16 Rumah Ramah Fatayat (safe houses) across various subdistricts in Pasuruan.

“These safe spaces allow women to report cases of violence and seek support,” Salwa explained.

“My experiences in Australia have not only enriched my knowledge but also made my opinions more respected within Fatayat NU. Many cadres were eager to hear about the insights I gained from the Short Course in Australia,” she added.

Reflecting on her journey, Salwa recalled moments that sparked her confidence and strengthened her resolve. One such moment was meeting Coral Ross, a former Mayor of Boroondara, Melbourne, who impressed her with her humility despite holding a prominent position.

“Seeing her wait in line for the tram like everyone else reminded me of the value of humility in leadership,” Salwa shared.

Another pivotal experience was her discussion with Fiona Hoggart about integrating Australian cultural elements into the Al-Yasini Lughoh Competition, which motivated her to create a platform where students could learn about cultural diversity while improving their language skills.

Salwa is optimistic that in the future, all the collaborative programs she has initiated with the network she built during AIMEP and the Short Course can be sustained. “As a Fatayat NU Pasuruan cadre, I’m still eager to invite Australian figures to be speakers and mentors for several programs that Fatayat NU will be conducting,” she concluded.

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