BPMI and UIII’s Faculty of Islamic Studies Train Youths on Religious Moderation

The Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), in partnership with the Istiqlal Mosque Management Agency (BPMI), orchestrated a comprehensive two-day conference and training program aimed to address the escalating apprehension surrounding the surge of conservatism and its consequential effects on interreligious dialogue.

Taking place on June 23 and 24, 2023, at the Al-Fattah Hall of the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta, the event attracted around 100 youths hailing from various institutions and religious organizations. The conference provided valuable insights into promoting religious moderation and fostering interfaith understanding.

Primarily, the program’s objective was to foster a renewed sense of purpose among young individuals in guiding adherents of diverse religious beliefs toward a deeper comprehension of various faiths. Also, it aimed to impart a religious understanding characterized by a moderate approach and a national vision. Furthermore, the conference sought to heighten awareness regarding the perils associated with conservatism, particularly among the younger generation.

The event embraced an interactive and engaging format that included extension classes specifically tailored for interfaith youths from various houses of worship and religious organizations in Jakarta. It comprised a series of sessions covering diverse subjects, including but not limited to radicalism among the youth, religious moderation, da'wah strategies within the digital landscape, and the significance of Wasatiyya, which pertains to the practice of moderate Islam.

The conference united renowned scholars, experts, and distinguished speakers who generously shared their profound insights and extensive experiences. Among the notable speakers was Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, the esteemed Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque. In addition, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, the respected Dean of UIII's Faculty of Islamic Studies, also delivered an enlightening keynote address, providing valuable perspectives on the conference's themes.

Other speakers encompassed a diverse range of perspectives, such as Umar Patek, a former terrorist who shared his personal experiences, Rinaldi Nur Ibrahim, S.Farm (Influencer/Content Creator), and Dr. Mulawarman Hannase, the Head of Education and Training at BPMI. Additionally, various faculty members from UIII's Faculty of Islamic Studies, including Dr. Torkis Lubis, Dr. M. Ilyas Marwal, Syamsul Rijal, PhD, Zezen Z. Muttaqin, PhD, Haula Noor, PhD, Bhirawa Anoraga, PhD, and Muhammad Al-Marakibi, PhD, contributed their expertise to the conference.

As well as the topics covered in the program’s sessions, the participants were also afforded the privilege of visiting a neighboring cathedral, which served to underscore the importance of interfaith dialogue and foster mutual understanding between different religious communities.

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