CCN, Cilegon, Indonesia — Alya Haura Zahra, an undergraduate student of the Arabic Literature Study Program, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, has achieved international recognition after winning First Prize in the Arabic Radio Drama category and receiving the Best Script Award at the ASEAN-level Modern Language Olympiad (MLO).
The Modern Language Olympiad is a regional international competition that brings together participants from ASEAN member states to showcase linguistic proficiency and creative expression across various disciplines, including writing, drama, and oral performance.
Alya and her team presented an Arabic-language radio drama focusing on the humanitarian experiences of children in Gaza. The work was commended by the jury for its originality, narrative strength, and precise use of the Arabic language.
The selection process began with an internal nomination by Universitas Indonesia, followed by an online preliminary round held on 30 October 2025, which involved hundreds of participants from across the region. Alya was subsequently selected among the Top Five finalists and advanced to the final round, held during the Gala Night at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia.
The achievement reflects Alya’s long-standing interest in languages and creative writing, as well as her commitment to academic and cultural excellence. She expressed hope that the accomplishment would encourage young people, particularly in Indonesia, to actively engage in language learning and cross-cultural initiatives at the international level.
Looking ahead, Alya aspires to continue promoting the Arabic language while contributing to the global introduction of Indonesian cultural values through academic and creative platforms.
