The 2026 Arabic Culture Festival (FKA), organized by Arabic Literature at UGM, has returned under the grand theme “Binar Suar Arabia, Menyinari Cakrawala Dunia” (Radiant Rays of Arabia, Illuminating the World’s Horizon). Held biennially, the festival centers its main events on competitions for high school and university levels. However, what truly stole the spotlight this time was the presence of Arabic Market Day (AMD), specially designed to occupy the free time of participants and accompanying teachers to prevent boredom while supporting the competitions.

Serving as the hub for supporting activities, Arabic Market Day features three main pillars: Interactive Space, Cultural Tenant, and Live Cooking Arabic Meal. The peak of AMD’s festivity took place on the second day through an open stage that facilitated participants in singing and featured performances by the FKA committee members.

This led up to the two most anticipated main presentations: Qiroatus Syi’ir and the debut performance of Keroncong Seroja. As a new community formed by Arabic Literature, Keroncong Seroja successfully mesmerized the audience through a unique blend of classic keroncong music with Arabic-nuanced songs and other cross-genre tracks.

High enthusiasm was also acknowledged by the committee, who noted that this year’s AMD was much more lively and “lit” compared to the previous edition. “AMD is now much busier and more fun, unlike last year which was rather quiet.” A warm atmosphere was reflected by the bustling crowd enjoying culinary delights like kebabs while sitting on floor mats (lesehan) to enjoy the stage entertainment.

More than just a transit space or waiting area, this activity is expected to continue in future FKA events as both a recreational space and an educational bridge that is welcoming for the general public to explore the Arabic world more deeply.

Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman

YOGYAKARTA – Learning a foreign language does not always have to begin with textbooks and classrooms. This was the experience of Shang Narendra, a 2022 student of Arabic Literature at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), who became the university’s sole representative in the 2026 Mandarin Summer Camp Short Term Study Program in Taiwan. The program, subsidized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, was held at Da Yeh University (大葉大學) in Changhua, Taiwan, from July 22 to August 4, 2026.

Organized through the Official Taiwan Education Center Indonesia in collaboration with universities in Taiwan, the program brought together international students to learn Mandarin while gaining firsthand exposure to Taiwanese culture. For Shang Narendra, who is often called Adam, the opportunity stemmed from his desire to learn a foreign language directly in an environment where it is spoken. As an Arabic Literature student, he is accustomed to viewing language not only through its structure and vocabulary but also through the culture, society, and context in which it is used.

During the program, participants attended Mandarin classes in the morning and took part in various cultural activities in the afternoon. Upon arriving at Da Yeh University, participants first took the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) to assess their Mandarin proficiency and determine their class placement. Classroom learning was complemented by hands-on activities, including cooking, handicrafts, aromatherapy, fabric painting, traditional Chinese calligraphy, and making a Taiwanese-style mosquito repellent spray.

The cross-cultural experience also extended into everyday life in the dormitory. Participants from different universities and countries lived together, creating opportunities to communicate in various languages, particularly English and Mandarin. Adam occasionally used Google Translate when language barriers interrupted conversations. He also interacted directly with local residents while purchasing daily necessities. Through these experiences, he learned that the courage to communicate and the ability to adapt can be just as important as mastering grammar.

One of Adam’s most memorable experiences was the final project, which involved a role-play performed with a group of six students from different backgrounds. Within a relatively short period, Adam and his group members had to use Mandarin to discuss ideas, divide tasks, and prepare their performance. The program also took participants to Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, giving them an opportunity to explore another side of Taiwan beyond the university campus.

For Adam, learning Mandarin in Taiwan also broadened his perspective as an Arabic Literature student. He came to see more clearly that language learning cannot be separated from the culture and society of its speakers. The experience also strengthened his listening and speaking skills, contextual understanding, and ability to adapt to a new environment. Learning another language gave him a new perspective on understanding Arabic more broadly, beyond the theories he studies in the classroom.

The summer course also provided Adam with an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone. He found that students of Arabic Literature can explore other languages and cultures without leaving behind the field they are studying. By becoming familiar with more languages and societies, students can gain new perspectives on Arabic while preparing themselves to communicate and engage in increasingly multicultural environments.

Author : Indana Zulfa Maulida

Yogyakarta – An online academic discussion jointly organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia once again provided a platform for students to deepen their understanding of Arabic language and literary studies. Led by Dr. Nur Kholid, M.P., a lecturer in the Arabic Literature Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada, the session offered an interactive discussion on metaphor and linguistic analysis. During the online meeting, participants explored the concepts of musyabbah and musyabbah bih, focusing on how meaning is constructed through comparisons expressed either explicitly or implicitly. Dr. Kholid presented the material in a systematic manner by analyzing a variety of examples, enabling students not only to understand linguistic structures but also to appreciate the deeper meanings and interpretations embedded in Arabic texts.

Throughout the discussion, students examined several examples of metaphor, including the comparison of soldiers to lions in battle, tears to pearls, and spring as a symbol of human happiness. These illustrations helped participants understand how Arabic employs figurative language to convey meaning in a more vivid, meaningful, and contextual way.In addition to metaphor, the discussion expanded to the interpretation of word meanings in Arabic. The diverse perspectives shared during the session demonstrated that linguistic analysis is not limited to a single interpretation but is open to various analytical approaches and viewpoints. This approach encouraged students to broaden their perspectives while strengthening their understanding of Arabic linguistics and literary studies.

Overall, the discussion was conducted smoothly in an engaging and interactive atmosphere. Students actively participated throughout the discussion and question-and-answer session, reflecting their enthusiasm for the topic. Through this academic activity, participants are expected to enhance their understanding of Arabic studies while further developing their linguistic and analytical skills.

Author: Indana Zulfa

Yogyakarta, June 16, 2026 – The Arabic Literature Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (IKMASA UGM) successfully organized SAMBUT: “IKMASA Menyambut” in collaboration with the West Asian Family Association of Universitas Indonesia (IKABA UI). Held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, the event served as a platform for fostering friendship and strengthening relationships among Arabic Literature students from both universities. The program commenced with welcoming remarks from the faculty advisors of IKMASA UGM and IKABA UI, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and maintaining strong inter-institutional relationships. They highlighted the value of building academic networks and encouraging future cooperation between student organizations.

The event continued with a cabinet-sharing session led by the presidents of IKMASA UGM and IKABA UI. During the session, both organizations exchanged insights on their work programs, organizational culture, and leadership strategies. This discussion provided participants with an opportunity to learn from one another’s experiences and organizational practices. Following the sharing session, participants took part in a campus tour around Universitas Gadjah Mada. The activity introduced IKABA UI members to the UGM campus environment while also fostering closer connections among participants. As part of the tour, a group photo session was held at the iconic Balairung UGM as a symbol of friendship and a memorable keepsake of the gathering between IKMASA UGM and IKABA UI. The program then proceeded with a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving divisions and departments from both organizations. These discussions provided a space for participants to exchange experiences, share best practices, and discuss organizational management systems within their respective student associations. Overall, the event was conducted smoothly in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. Through SAMBUT 2026, both organizations strengthened their ties and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering collaboration, mutual learning, and long-term partnerships among Arabic Literature students across universities.

Author : Ismail

Yogyakarta, April 29, 2026 – The Academic Division of the Arabic Literature Student Association (IKMASA) successfully organized the event titled “Suluh Rindu” Book Discussion and Mini Writing Workshop, featuring prominent Indonesian novelist Habiburrahman El Shirazy at the Soegondo Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Open to the public, the event aimed to enrich participants’ understanding of the creative writing process, particularly in developing ideas and experiences in creative writing, as well as emphasizing the importance of moral values in literary works.

The author, widely known as Kang Abik, explained that writing ideas can emerge from simple phenomena in everyday life. Observations of social realities, cultural contexts, and daily life dynamics can serve as endless sources of inspiration. He illustrated this through the creative process behind his novel Suluh Rindu, which was inspired by the phenomenon of rural areas being left behind by younger generations who migrate in search of better opportunities. Villages tend to become lively only during certain occasions, such as religious holidays. This phenomenon was then developed into the story of a character who travels to Egypt and experiences an inner struggle upon returning to his hometown, particularly when confronted with his father’s final wishes.

Habiburrahman also emphasized the importance of dramatic elements in literary works. According to him, a compelling story should be able to evoke readers’ emotions through strong conflict and meaningful resolution. Beyond mere entertainment, literature carries a moral responsibility. Values such as spirituality, humanity, justice, and civility should serve as the foundation of any literary work. “A good piece of writing is not only engaging to read, but also leaves a lasting impression on its readers,” he stated.

During the question-and-answer session, it was also highlighted that writing experience does not have to come solely from personal experiences. Writers can gain insight from reading, listening to others’ stories, and observing their surroundings. In addition, moral boundaries in writing depend on the author’s perspective and purpose, while still taking into account cultural values and ethical considerations.

The event concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation by Tohir Mustofa, S.S., M.A., and Abdul Jawat Nur, M.Hum., followed by a group documentation session. The high level of enthusiasm shown by participants reflects a strong expectation for similar forums to continue as spaces for learning, discussion, and growth for both aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts.

Penulis: Putri Azkia Nisfiatul Laili