Muntaha Afandie: A Remarkable Journey to the Pinnacle of Linguistic Achievement

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Indonesia celebrates a momentous achievement with the emergence of the first Summa Cum Laude holder in Arabic Linguistics, not from a local institution, but from the prestigious Université de la Manouba in Tunisia. A trailblazer in his field, A Muntaha Afandie has etched his name in the annals of Indonesian academic history.

In a groundbreaking feat, A Muntaha Afandie earned his Doctorate in Linguistics with Summa Cum Laude honors from the Ecole Doctorale, Faculté des Lettres, des Arts et des Humanités, Université de la Manouba, Tunisia, on January 5, 2024. His dissertation delved into the linguistic intricacies of Ibn Arabi's works, showcasing his mastery of the subject matter.

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A Muntaha Afandie, affectionately known as Gus Mun, is hailed as the first Indonesian student to graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors in the concentration of linguistics, following a successful defense in the Doctoral Promotion examination. His research focused on unraveling the philosophical aspects of Ibn Arabi's language, employing a conceptual metaphor approach.

Expressing his motivation, Muntaha highlighted the scarcity of linguistic examinations on Ibn Arabi compared to philosophical inquiries. He aimed to decode the philosophical mysticism of Ibn Arabi through a linguistic lens, a unique perspective in the realm of academic exploration.

The significance of Muntaha's achievement was underscored by his dissertation advisor, Prof. Lhahar Zanned, who commended Muntaha's courage in tackling the intricate theories of linguistics. Despite the formidable challenges, Muntaha successfully completed his research within a commendable three-year timeframe.

Prof. Zanned reminisced about their initial encounter, noting Muntaha's evident passion and dedication to pursuing the demanding field of linguistics, often perceived as a daunting choice among students.

Muntaha Afandie's academic contributions extend beyond linguistics, opening two doors in linguistic theory and one in tashawwuf theory. Prof. Zanned emphasized the ongoing responsibility to develop and expand upon these foundations, emphasizing that a doctorate marks not an end but a commencement of continuous growth.

Praising Muntaha's accomplishment, Prof. Narjess Badis, the third examiner, predicted that he would soon become an ambassador, not only in Arabic Linguistics but also as a representative of the Universitas Manouba and Tunisia on the global stage.

As Muntaha Afandie returns to his homeland with the laurels of a Summa Cum Laude doctorate in Arabic Linguistics, he expresses gratitude to his mentors and examiners. Committed to applying the knowledge he has acquired, Muntaha pledges to contribute to the development of his field in Indonesia, marking the beginning of a promising academic journey.(*)

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