Cairo, August 8, 2026 – The Miss Azhar 2026 pageant provides a platform for Al-Azhar University students from various countries to showcase their academic abilities, communication skills, global perspectives, and morals. This year, Indonesian student Siti Maryam won the title of Miss Azhar 2026 Winner in the Grand Final of the International Light of Azharaiat competition held at the Al-Azhar Convention Center (ACC) in Cairo, Egypt.
The competition was attended by 14 top Al-Azhar University students from nine countries: Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan, India, Palestine, Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, and Yemen. Participants were assessed based on academic excellence, understanding of the Quran and Hadith, communication skills in Arabic, English, and French, public speaking, global perspective, and moral values.
The jury, chaired by Nahla Elsabry El-Suady, Advisor to the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Sciences, and Director of Foreign Student Learning, declared Siti Maryam from Indonesia the winner. Sa'idah Abdul Aziz from Nigeria was selected as the runner-up.
The Miss Azhar pageant was initiated by Abdul Muta'ali, Education and Cultural Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo. Previously, Wihdah, the Indonesian student association in Egypt, had held a similar event for Indonesian female students in Egypt.
Abdul Muta'ali then pushed for the event to be developed internationally, involving Al-Azhar University students from various countries. The idea was aimed at introducing graceful, polite, and globally-minded Indonesian women to the world through Al-Azhar's academic environment.
The idea received a positive response from Nahla Elsabry El-Suady, Advisor to the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar for Women and Foreign Students. "We must introduce to the world that Muslim women must have a global role, but be rooted in it, and not forget their nature as women," Nahla explained.
Since April 27, 2026, meetings and coordination have been held involving various stakeholders, including the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection. Support has also been provided by various parties, including Fashion Syari Premium Lina Sukijo, who supported all participants' costumes and performances, and Enjen Jailani, CEO of a rice company in Cilamaya, Karawang, who provided prizes for the winners.
Siti Maryam's selection as the Winner of Miss Azhar 2026 is inseparable from the eloquence, strength of academic personality, and local wisdom she demonstrated in providing answers to the panel of judges.
Siti Maryam's victory is an achievement for Indonesia in the international education environment and also opens up space for Indonesian women to demonstrate their academic capacity, communication skills, global insight, and values in front of participants from various countries.*** (Author: Attaché for Education and Culture of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo/Editor: Uly)
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