Leiden University professor visits Islamic school in Cilegon

Cilegon, Banten (ANTARA) - A professor of Islam in Southeast Asia from Leiden University, Netherlands, Nico J.G. Kaptein, had visited the Islamic school institution Al-Khairiyah at Citangkil, Cilegon District, Banten Province, on Wednesday.

Kaptein is mastering Banten's Islamic history at Al-Khairiyah which claims to be the oldest Islamic school institution in Banten.

"I would like to say thank you as I am very pleased to be here and I hope to come again," Kaptein said.

Kaptein was welcomed by Vice Chairman of the Al-Khairiyah Executive Board, Alwiyan Q. Syam’un, and allowed access to Al-Khairiyah's three century-year- old Quran.

There has been good cooperation between Leiden University and Al-Khairiyah, and many of Banten's historical manuscripts were also placed in the Netherlands, Syam'un stated.

"I need those manuscripts to know more about Al-Khairiyah and Banten's history. Wish I can go there in the future," Syam'un said.