UPCOMING program

AIMEP 2021

– Online program

We are inviting emerging Muslim leaders in Australia and Indonesia to engage in a unique 7-week online program of cultural, social, interreligious, and intellectual exchange with their neighbouring country. 

Applications close 7 November 2021, in

Why apply

Since launching in 2002, AIMEP has given young Muslims in Australia and Indonesia an unrivalled platform for personal, professional, and spiritual growth. As well as in-depth learning and new perspectives, the program gives participants a genuine appreciation of each other’s expression of Islam, and the opportunity to join a positive and proactive community of emerging leaders.

Prestigious

Over the past two decades, AIMEP has distinguished itself as a unique and highly sought after international program.

Discover scholars, NGOs, youth, religious leaders, and other key community leaders 

Interactive

An interactive 7-week online program featuring a diverse and rich range of opportunities for in-depth, meaningful dialogue.

Keep up to date with emerging trends and issues

Community

Join a varied and vibrant AIMEP alumni network that spans numerous fields and thrives on community interaction.

Gain valuable connection and new friends, while joining a network of over 260 alumni

Leadership

AIMEP is renowned for bringing together emerging leaders from across the diverse Muslim communities of Australia and Indonesia.

Interact with our 2021 speakers and experiential content

Program Schedule

Over the course of the 7-week virtual program, delegates will interact with an array of speakers, scholars, religious leaders, NGOs, community champions, and more, through a series of online sessions. 

Week 1

Discovery, an Introduction to Islam in Our Region

  • Align with the program and set your intentions for the coming weeks
  • Get to know each other and the organisers
  • Gain a deeper understanding of Islam in Australia and Indonesia
  • Learn about Indigenous Australia and historical links between Australian and Indonesian Muslims

Week 2

Leadership, Government & Society

  • Learn from emerging and established political leaders
  • Hear from prominent Muslim community representatives
  • Exchange ideas on community cohesion and open discourse
  • Engage in dialogue and gain a deeper understanding about the role of leadership in your communities

Week 3

Education & Youth Development

  • Explore diverse approaches to Islamic education
  • Meet Muslim students in Australia and Indonesia
  • Hear from leaders in youth development
  • Virtually tour school grounds and attend live performances

Week 4

Gender & Family 

  • Hear from female religious and community leaders
  • Discuss equality of participation and engagement
  • Learn about challenges such as family violence and discrimination
  • Be a part of live panel discussions with key leaders and activists

Week 5

Religious Diversity

  • Explore Islam in context with other faiths and pre-Islamic heritage
  • Hear from interfaith leaders
  • Encountering and understanding the religious ‘other’
  • Virtual tour of places of worship

Week 6

Art, Media & Activism

  • Discover a variety of creative cultural and artistic expressions of faith
  • Explore how public engagement can foster religious understanding
  • Learn about creating cultural change through the media
  • Interactive panel discussion

Week 7

Community Development & Post Pandemic Transformation

  • Engage with different models of community development
  • Understand philanthropy and zakat in different societies
  • Devise ways for your community to be strengthened in a post-COVID era
  • Panel discussion with leading community organisations

Complete!

By the end of the 7 weeks you will have developed personally, professionally and spiritually, helping you to lead in the future

  • Meaningful cross-cultural & personal connections
  • New perspectives on diverse community challenges
  • Ideas for growth, development and international bridge-building
  • A positive, proactive, and partnership-focused mindset

Guest speakers

Assoc Prof Greg Fealy AM

Chair, Australia Indonesia Institute

Assmaah Helal

Program Operations Manager
Football United & Creating Chances

Dr. Oki Setiana Dewi

Founder & Director
Maskanul Huffadz Foundation

Assoc Prof Halim Rane

Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Griffith University

Yunicha Pagiling (Yugi)

Member, Mahabbah Institute for Peace and Goodness 

Sherene Hassan OAM

Director of Education and Community Engagement
Islamic Museum of Australia

Dr Lily Yulianti Farid

Postdoctoral Fellow
Monash Indigenous Studies Centre 

Rev Jacky Frits Manuputty

Co-Founder
Maluku Interfaith Institution for Humanitarian Action

Dr Dadi Darmadi

Senior Researcher, Centre for the Study of Religion and Society (PPIM)

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta

Uncle Andrew Gardiner

Wurundjeri Clan Elder of the Woiwurrung people

Member, First Peoples Assembly of Victoria

Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM

Founder and National Director
Together for Humanity

Syamsul Arif Ghalib

Co-Founder
Mahabbah Institute for Peace and Goodness

Saara Sabbagh OAM

Chair and Founder
Benevolence Australia

Prof Alimatul Qibtiyah

Comissioner
National Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women

Rita Pranawati

Vice Chair
National Commission for Child Protection

Dr Anisa Buckley

Research Fellow
Melbourne Law School, the University of Melbourne

Dr Nihayatul Wafiroh, MP

Member of Indonesian Parliament
National Awakening Party

Dr Anne Aly

Member of Australian Parliament for Cowan, WA
Australian Labor Party

Reverend Kristi

Chairperson
Srikandi Lintas Iman Women’s Interfaith Community

Wiwin Siti Aminah Rohmawati

Co-Founder
Srikandi Lintas Iman Women’s Interfaith Community

Endang Sri Rahayu

Chairperson
Muslimah Ahlulbait Indonesia

Tasneem Chopra OAM

Cross-cultural Consultant

Feda Abdo

Manager – Communications and Community Relations
Muslim Women Australia

Lies Marcoes Natsir

Executive Director
Rumah Kita Bersama Foundation

Fadilla Dwianti Putri

Program Manager Prevention of Child Marriage Programs, Rumah Kita Bersama Foundation

Dr Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir

Founder, Fahmina Institute

Alex Long

Chief Executive Officer
Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW

Prof Abdul Mu’ti

General Secretary, Central Board of Muhammadiyah

Suraiya Kamaruzzaman

Co-Founder, Flower Aceh

Emha Ainun Nadjib

Indonesian Poet, Essayist, and Humanist

Ayman Islam

General Manager, Islamic Council of Victoria

Saba Hakim

Co-Founder, Australian MADE (Muslim Adolescent Development & Education)

Peter Gould

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gould Studio 

Drs. K.H. M. Akrim Mariat

Principal, Darussalam Gontor, Modern Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren)

Professor Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi

Rector, University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor

Students

University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor

Students

Darussalam Gontor, Modern Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren)

Shaffira Gayatri

Board Member, HELP for Refugees and Same Skies Indonesia

Fazeel Arain

Principal and Co-Founder
Al Siraat College

Mufti Aasim Rashid

Head of Islamic Education & Programs, Al Siraat College

Summer Rwehumbiza

Head of Primary School
Al Siraat College

Vis Naidu

Head of Secondary School
Al Siraat College

Shahidah Osman

Head of Student Learning and Enrichment
Al Siraat College

Students

Al Siraat College

Nerlian (Lian) Gogali

Founder
Mosintuwu Institute, Poso

Sara Mansour

Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Bankstown Poetry Slam

Dr Malcolm Haddon

Head of Community Resilience Team, Multicultural NSW

Adel Salman

President, Islamic Council of Victoria

Jeremy Jones AM

Co-Chair, Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews

Abu Muneer Ismail Davids

CEO, National Zakat Foundation

Sabeth Abilawa

Director General, Central Board of the Muhammadiyah Institute for Zakat and Philanthropy

Dr. Rahmawati Husein

Vice Chair, Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Centre (MDMC)

Banok Rind

Deputy Executive Officer, Koorie Youth Council

and more to be announced!

Key Dates

Information Session

16 October 2021

AAMEP Application deadline

7  November 2021

First round results announced via email

8 December 2021

ASEAN Interviews via Zoom

13 December 2021
– 23 December 2021

Australian Interviews via Zoom

5 January 2022
– 6 January 2022

AAMEP 2021 

31 January 2022
– 28 March 2022

What alumni are saying

“This is an opportunity that any Muslim Australian should take up. You learn so much about yourself, about your own faith, about the country with the biggest Muslim population in the world.”
Ms Asmaah Helal
Ms Asmaah HelalOperations Manager, Creating Chances
“This week has been like a semester of studying international development, Islamic studies, sociology, international affairs, international education and government policy.”
Mr Ahmad Romzi
Mr Ahmad RomziDirector of Education, Al-Shighor Foundation
“AIMEP is a fabulous program that will have long-standing benefit both in my professional and personal life.”
Ms Ayan Omer Shere
Ms Ayan Omer ShereDistribution Manager, National Zakat Foundation, Victoria
View alumni