INTERNASIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: PENGUATAN PERAN MASJID SEBAGAI PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN, KEBUDAYAAN, DAN PEMBERDAYAAN UMAT DI MESJID RAYA AL-MASHUN MEDAN

Abstract

The International Community Engagement program represents an implementation of the Higher Education Tri Dharma, aiming to strengthen international collaboration through community service activities focused on education, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. The program was conducted at the Al-Mashun Grand Mosque, Medan, one of the most significant Islamic cultural heritage landmarks in the city, through a collaborative partnership between higher education institutions from Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly Politeknik Port Dickson. The program was designed to enhance participants' understanding of the mosque's role not only as a place of worship but also as a center for learning, Islamic historical and cultural preservation, the promotion of religious moderation, and the development of international academic networks. The program employed a participatory approach consisting of educational sessions, interactive discussions, heritage tours, knowledge-sharing activities, and social engagement involving academics, mosque administrators, students, and members of the local community. Program evaluation was conducted through participatory observation and participant feedback to assess levels of understanding, satisfaction, and the overall benefits of the activities. The results demonstrated an increased understanding among participants regarding the historical significance and strategic role of the Al-Mashun Grand Mosque as a center of Islamic civilization in North Sumatra. The program also enhanced awareness of the importance of preserving Islamic cultural heritage while fostering stronger academic and social collaboration between Indonesian and Malaysian higher education institutions. Furthermore, the initiative reinforced the mosque's function as a lifelong learning center, a venue for character development, and a platform for educational diplomacy through international partnership.This International Community Engagement program is expected to serve as a sustainable model of international collaborative community service that supports educational development, cultural heritage preservation, and community empowerment by optimizing the role of mosques as centers of Islamic civilization.