Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Launches Construction of New Faculty of Ushuluddin Building at UIN Jakarta

Jakarta, UIN Online News — The Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., officially inaugurated the construction of the new Faculty of Ushuluddin building at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta through a groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday (23/4/2026). The ceremony was solemnly marked by a prayer led personally by the Minister as he laid the building's first foundation stone.

The new facility will be named the Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A. Building in recognition of the Minister's distinguished scholarly and social contributions to Islamic studies, both as Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs and as a long-serving academic at the Faculty of Ushuluddin. The naming also symbolizes the renewed commitment to strengthening the Faculty of Ushuluddin's position as a leading center for Islamic studies in Indonesia and internationally.

In addition to the Minister of Religious Affairs, the ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UIN Jakarta, including the Director of Islamic Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Syahiron, M.A.; Advisor to the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dra. Hj. Helmi Halimatul Udhma, M.Si.; Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D.; expert and special staff to the Minister; vice rectors; bureau heads; members of the university senate; and other university leaders.

In his remarks, Minister Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that the Faculty of Ushuluddin has long served as the epicenter of Islamic scholarship in Indonesia. He highlighted the intellectual legacy of prominent scholars such as Prof. Harun Nasution and Prof. M. Quraish Shihab, both of whom are closely associated with the faculty.

"The Faculty of Ushuluddin must once again become a reference point. We should not merely be consumers of knowledge, but producers contributing to the development of Islamic ontology and epistemology," he stated.

The Minister also stressed the importance of developing a distinctive Indonesian contribution to Islamic scholarship while advancing academic facilities through modern technology. According to him, the new faculty building should feature an e-library, dedicated spaces for academic discussion, and facilities capable of fostering a productive scholarly ecosystem.

"A library is no longer simply a room filled with books; it is a center for digital knowledge access. Lecturers and researchers should be encouraged to actively present their academic works and research," he added.

He further noted that the construction of the new building addresses the faculty's long-standing limitations in terms of space and academic facilities, expressing hope that the allocated budget would be sufficient to complete the project successfully.

Speaking at the same event, Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D. emphasized that the project aligns with UIN Jakarta's growing international standing, particularly after being ranked 29th globally in Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

"This is an important momentum to strengthen the integration of knowledge and enhance the quality of our academic programs. At the same time, we are preparing for our institutional transformation into a State University with Legal Entity status (PTKN-BH)," he said.

The Rector also expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Religious Affairs for his continued support, hoping that the construction project would become a lasting charitable contribution (amal jariyah) for the advancement of UIN Jakarta.

According to the official project committee, the new building will be constructed on Campus II of UIN Jakarta on a site covering approximately 2,889.7 square meters, with a total building area of 4,554 square meters spread across seven floors. The project has fulfilled all legal requirements and is supported by adequate infrastructure.

Concluding his remarks, Minister Nasaruddin Umar reminded all parties to ensure that construction proceeds according to schedule so that the facility can be operational next year.

"The project should not end with today's groundbreaking ceremony. This building must be completed, fully utilized, and managed effectively. Maintain its cleanliness and ensure it serves its purpose well," he urged.

Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Prof. Ismatu Ropi, M.A., Ph.D., welcomed the construction of the new faculty building. He expressed hope that the project would mark a new chapter in strengthening the tradition of excellence in Islamic scholarship while further reinforcing UIN Jakarta's position on the global academic stage.