Journal History

Center of Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) is a scholarly journal published by the Arabic Literature Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Indonesia. CMES Journal is published biannually, in June and December.

CMES Journal features research articles and literature reviews on various topics related to Middle Eastern studies, including language, literature, culture, society, and politics. Articles are written in English, Arabic, or Indonesian.

Starting from Volume 16, Number 1, 2023, CMES Journal has introduced a fresh new journal layout and design. This update aims to refresh the appearance of the CMES Journal, align it with modern international journal standards, and provide readers with an enhanced reading experience.

The objectives of CMES Journal are as follows:

  1. To publish research findings and literature reviews related to the Middle Eastern region across various fields as a platform for disseminating scholarly ideas.
  2. To foster academic knowledge and insights among academics and researchers in Middle Eastern studies from diverse perspectives worldwide.
  3. To serve as a platform for researchers of the Middle East worldwide to engage in academic discussions and seek scholarly solutions to regional challenges.

Historically, CMES Journal was initially published as part of the academic activities of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Faculty of Literature and Fine Arts, UNS, established under the Decree of the Dean of FSSR Number 2545/H27.1.1/KP/2009 on April 16, 2009. The establishment of the journal was a driving force behind the creation of the Arabic Literature Department. With the establishment of the Arabic Literature Department under the Decree of DIKTI Number 1762/02.2/2010 on July 2, 2010, the publication of CMES Journal became a regular academic activity organized by the department.

Since its inception, the journal has aimed to facilitate scholarly discussions and disseminate research related to Middle Eastern studies, with contributions from academics and researchers both nationally and internationally. Over the years, CMES Journal has consistently improved its quality and broadened its scope, covering various disciplines such as literature, linguistics, history, politics, and socio-cultural studies of the Middle East. In recognition of its growing academic impact and adherence to rigorous publication standards, as of August 30, 2024, based on the Decree of the Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 177/E/KPT/2024, CMES Journal has been upgraded from SINTA-4 to SINTA-3.