APTEP 2026 Launch: UIN Jakarta Unveils Interdisciplinary Theological Forum to Drive Global Inter-Religious Dialogue
JAKARTA, UIN Online News – In a major geopolitical move to foster global religious tolerance, the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta officially inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Theological Encounter Program (APTEP) on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The 12-day international intensive forum draws 23 elite academic and religious delegates from across the globe, serving as a high-level laboratory for advanced Islamic studies and trans-regional interfaith diplomacy.
The Director of the Graduate School, Professor Zulkifli, M.A., confirmed that the opening day prioritized orientation and strategic networking, laying the groundwork for rigorous academic defenses scheduled to run from July 2 to July 12, 2026.
The academic deployment features an elite roster of UIN Jakarta’s top scholars, including Professor Zulkifli, Professor Yusuf Rahman, Professor Amelia Fauzia, Hamdani, Ph.D., Professor JM Muslimin, Fuad Jabali, Ph.D., and Professor Arif Zamhari. The comprehensive curriculum covers critical modules ranging from Indonesian Sufism and Sharia frameworks to advanced hermeneutics (Tafsir), contemporary Indonesian Islam, and gender dynamics within Islamic law.
During his introductory policy lecture on Islamic jurisprudence, Professor Zulkifli demonstrated the necessity of an interdisciplinary lens by addressing global misconceptions, such as the legal debates surrounding physical contact between genders.
“Understanding Islamic law requires a sophisticated, multi-perspective approach,” Professor Zulkifli asserted. “For instance, regarding gender interactions like handshaking, classical and contemporary scholars hold varying legal opinions while some strictly prohibit it. I have to mention that others permit it under specific contexts. This diversity reflects the intellectual wealth of Islamic tradition, and our core objective through APTEP is to introduce this exact interdisciplinary framework to the global community.”
The 2026 APTEP assembly marks an exceptionally diverse geographical footprint, gathering international practitioners and researchers from Vietnam, South Korea, Italy, the United States, Myanmar, the Philippines, Kenya, and Indonesia.
Abel Ogona, a Kenyan scholar currently pursuing advanced studies in Manila, expressed immense analytical drive regarding the program.
"My goal is to systematically study the internal mechanics of Islam to prepare myself for higher-level inter-religious dialogue," Ogona stated. "Having lived alongside Muslim communities, I recognize the need for deep theological knowledge to drive meaningful cross-religious policy conversations and better analyze the relational dynamics between Christianity and Islam."
Echoing this sentiment, Sister Fernanda Sebe, an Indonesian Catholic nun raised within a multi-religious family environment, highlighted the practical value of the forum for grass-roots humanitarian service.
"I want to deeply comprehend the daily lived realities and spiritual frameworks of Muslims," Sister Sebe noted. "Gaining this profound theological insight is vital for my pastoral vocation, enabling me to engage authentically with Muslim brothers and sisters during my religious and social service."
By utilizing the APTEP platform to bridge the gap between academic theology and global interfaith relations, UIN Jakarta firmly solidifies its reputation as a crucial intellectual anchor for global resilience, tolerance, and inclusive international education.
(Khoirillah/Zaenal/Arifin/Photo: Alfin Ilham)