Interreligious Community Unified under UIN Jakarta's National Discussion Event
Diorama Room, UIN Online News — During the National Dialogue at UIN Jakarta on Saturday (August 16, 2025), six interfaith leaders articulated their perspectives and dedication to the principle of 'Love Religion' as a cornerstone for national unity.
The national dialogue event was facilitated by Professor Arif Zamhari, M.A., Ph.D., a Professor of Religious Sociology and Director of the Center for Religious Moderation at UIN Jakarta, who pointed out the importance of interfaith dialogue as a means to enhance togetherness.
"This day, we gather here not only to recall our history but also to foster interfaith unity for a harmonious and peaceful Indonesia," he expressed.
The national dialogue commenced with Made Wirawan, S.Ag., M.Fil.H., a lecturer at the Hindu Dharma Nusantara Jakarta College of Religious Studies, who pointed out the value of worldwide brotherhood. He referenced the Hindu principle, "You are me, and I am you," to emphasize that all individuals are fundamentally related to each other.
In Hindu doctrine, women are esteemed as embodiments of strength and vitality, as articulated in the Gayatri Mantra, regarded as the foremost of all mantras. Hindus thus repudiate all manifestations of violence, as inflicting harm on others equates to inflicting harm on oneself.
Moreover, he expounded upon the principles of the Three Reasons for Prosperity (Tri Hita Karana), which encompass harmony with God (Parahyangan), fellow humans (Pawongan), and the universe (Palemahan).
According to him, compassion, empathy, and a spiritual-intellectual equilibrium are essential for preserving Indonesia's diversity. In this way, the practice of yoga and spirituality is regarded to enhance social harmony, enabling individuals to coexist peacefully with all living entities.
In the spirit of brotherhood, Xs. Ir. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, M.M., General Chairman of the Indonesian Confucian High Council (Matakin), underscored that religion fundamentally embodies love.
"Every religion transcends into mere ceremonial routine; it serves as a mechanism to humanize individuals. We are instructed to cultivate virtuous individuals by adhering to the principles of devotion, humility, loyalty, and truthfulness," he stated.
He underlined the value of UIN Jakarta and other educational institutions in cultivating a generation that is both tolerant and adept at disseminating virtue while emphasizing the collective mind to bond national unity founded on truth and justice.
Moreover, he asserted that all religions fundamentally convey a message of universal love for all sentient beings: Islam with rahmatan lil 'alamin, Christianity and Catholicism with universal love, Buddhism advocating happiness for all beings, Hinduism with Tri Hita Karana, and Confucianism with Tientiren.
He closed his remarks with a Confucian tenet: "What we do not desire, we should not impose on others. To advance, we must also assist others in their advancement."
Dr. Gandi Wibowo, M.Th., a representative of Protestant Christianity and President of the Katwuri Baptist Theological College (STTBK), as well as an alumnus of UIN Jakarta's postgraduate program, underscored that UIN Jakarta serves as a cultural meeting—an inclusive representation of Islam.
He emphasized the significance of religious moderation and the principle of Pancacinta, which encompasses love for God and humanity, love for the environment via ecological repentance, love for knowledge, love for academic freedom, and love for one's homeland.
Within the Protestant tradition, His word serves as the cornerstone of wisdom, as articulated in Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
He then praised UIN Jakarta's academic environment for fostering academic freedom and a diversity of viewpoints, emphasizing the importance of maintaining this value. The historical burden of the Christian community, which intersects with colonialism, demands the necessity for metanoia to prevent the past from hindering national unity.
"Interreligious camaraderie does not undermine faith but rather fortifies each community's conviction in collaboratively constructing the nation," he concluded.
In closing, Dr. Li Edi Ramawijaya Putra, M.Pd., Head of the Sriwijaya State Buddhist College in Tangerang, representing Buddhism, asserted that interfaith dialogue should extend beyond mere discussion and must be actualized through tangible actions to uphold diversity.
"As a professor, I highly support imparting religious values through educational outcomes. It encompasses the enhancement of intellect while fortifying our morality and spirituality at the same time," he asserted.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the aspirations of Golden Indonesia 2045 can only be realized if all religious communities uphold togetherness, safeguard diversity, and recognize religion as the nation's moral foundation.
Finally, the ceremony culminated in a national proclamation led by the Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, Ph.D., by declaring the commitment to uphold the harmony of variety and the spirit of independence in preserving national unity.
Therefore, this national dialogue event is a collaboration between the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and the Directorate of Islamic Religious Higher Education (Diktis) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Festival, scheduled for August 15th to 17th, 2025, embodying the ethos of "United, Sovereign, Prosperous People, and Advanced Indonesia."
Aside from this session, several activities during this event also encompassed a public exercise, which was conducted on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:30 AM at the Student Center Field. Additionally, the culmination of the event will occur on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with the flag-raising ceremony and Satyalancana Karya Satya awarding at the UIN Jakarta Field at 7:00 AM.
(Fathan Rangga I./Zaenal M. and Fauziah M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Aqilah Qurratulaini)