Led by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, UIN Jakarta and 3 State Islamic Universities Unite into Research-Based Peace Initiatives for Gaza

Jakarta, UIN Online News — The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menag RI) has initiated a series of international seminars on global peace across four State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKINs): UIN Alauddin Makassar, UIN Sumatera Utara, UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

The first session of this international seminar series was hosted by UIN Alauddin Makassar on Monday (17/11/2025), carrying the theme “Towards a Two-State Solution: President Prabowo Subianto’s Key Role in Advancing Peace in Gaza.” The forum was officially opened by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., who also delivered the first keynote address.

Also present was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anis Matta, who served as the second keynote speaker. The seminar featured several prominent speakers, including Prof. Robert W. Hefner, an anthropologist from Boston University, who discussed Indonesia’s strategic role in advancing the two-state solution from an international political perspective.

Joining the panel were Revda Selver Iseric, a Palestinian journalist and author, who highlighted President Prabowo’s sustained support for the Palestinian cause, and religious scholar Das’ad Latif, who provided academic and humanitarian insights on the latest developments in Gaza.

In his keynote remarks, Nasaruddin Umar stressed that President Prabowo Subianto’s statement at the UN regarding the two-state solution has generated significant global resonance.

“I received many calls from colleagues abroad. They said we must immediately provide broader clarification since President Prabowo’s statement has gone viral. Some are calling it ‘the Prabowo solution,’ and others have even referred to him as ‘the second Soekarno,’” he stated.

He added that Kemenag RI has a strategic interest in consolidating and articulating President Prabowo’s key ideas through academic platforms. 

“Our task is to articulate these ideas academically so they become a shared solution. This is where universities must play their part," he added.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Muhammad Anis Matta emphasized that Indonesia’s support for Palestine is rooted in three primary mandates: the Constitution, religion, and humanitarian principles.

“This is a historical debt that remains unresolved since the Asian-African Conference. From President Soekarno to President Prabowo, our support has been consistent—politically, morally, and humanitarianly,” he recalled.

Meanwhile, Rector of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Prof. Hamdan Juhannis, M.A., Ph.D., explained that the forum was initiated directly by Menag RI as a form of Indonesia’s academic diplomacy.

"Nasaruddin Umar personally initiated this international seminar series. He called me early in the morning and requested that four universities host a series of seminars discussing Prabowo’s role in global peace. Therefore, we will realize it via academic political diplomacy,” he explained.

In addition, the Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., welcomed the initiative of this international academic forum series. He conveyed that Islamic higher education institutions have both moral and academic responsibilities to ensure that Indonesia’s humanitarian diplomacy is grounded in strong scholarly foundations.

“UIN Jakarta fully supports Kemenag RI's initiative to advance academic diplomacy for global peace. Forums like this provide an essential space for scholars to elaborate on President Prabowo’s major ideas in an objective, systematic, and research-based manner,” he affirmed.

(Press Release of the Public Relation Center of the Minisitry of Religious Affairs)