Ma Wara’ Al-Nahar Indofestive 2025: UIN Jakarta Hosts Festival of Central Asian and Indonesian Islamic Scholarly Heritage

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN Online News – UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, through its Faculty of Ushuluddin and the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, is hosting Ma Wara’ Al-Nahar Indofestive 2025, combined with the International Colloquium on Islamic Scholarship (ICOIS). The event is scheduled to take place over two days, July 3–4, 2025, at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, Campus I, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

The event, themed "Explore the Land of the Imams: Art, History & Intellectualism of Central Asia and Indonesia," is designed to connect the historical trajectories of Islamic civilization from Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan, to the Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago), especially Indonesia. To this end, the event features several exhibitions on the relationship between Islam in Uzbekistan and Indonesia.

The event was attended by a number of important figures from Uzbekistan and Indonesia, including Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. M Arskal Salim GP M.Ag.; Director of Islamic Religious Higher Education, Directorate General of Islamic Education, Prof. Syahiron M.A. Ph.D.; UIN Jakarta Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar M.A. Ph.D.; and Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin Prof. Ismatu Ropi M.A. Ph.D.

From Uzbekistan, several leaders and figures from various institutions were present, including Vice Chairman of the Committee of Religious Affairs, Republic of Uzbekistan, Dr. Jiyazov Davronov; Deputy Director of the Islamic Civilization Center, Uzbekistan, Prof. Ismatilla Irgashev, Ph.D.; Head of Religious Affairs and Pilgrimage Committee, Uzbekistan, Dr. Davron Makhmudov; Director of Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, Prof. Dr. Shovosil Ziyodov; and Deputy Director of Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, Dr. Khamidullo Azamkhujaev.

Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepuddin Jahar, M.A. Ph.D., stated in his remarks that this event marks an important milestone in cross-country cooperation in Islamic education. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to preserving the scholarly heritage of Islam between Uzbekistan and Indonesia, and developing it through education and research," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Jakarta, Prof. Ismatu Ropi, MA., Ph.D., underlined that this forum is more than just a festival. "This event is not merely a celebration, but a living bridge connecting Indonesia and Uzbekistan through shared heritage, scholarly treasures, and a future of academic collaboration," he said.

Director of the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center, Prof. Dr. Shovosil Ziyodov, elaborated on the importance of Central Asian ulama (scholarly figures) in forming the foundation of classical Islamic scholarship up to the present day. "This forum, rooted in the legacy of great scholars like Imam Bukhari, is highly relevant to contemporary religious and educational challenges, and provides spiritual enrichment and scholarly inspiration," he stated.

In addition, the event included various sessions, such as a Student Forum, an International Session on Islamic Scholarship, and the launch of the book "1000 Cahaya Indonesia" (1000 Lights of Indonesia) and the screening of the film teaser "Pingin Hijrah" (Want to Migrate). Equally interesting, visitors were treated to an exhibition of artifacts and ancient manuscripts, including a handwritten copy of Prophet Muhammad SAW's letter once received by his companions.

As depicted in the exhibition's visual narrative, the region of Mā Warā’ al-Nahr (Transoxiana), an area that now includes Uzbekistan, was an influential center of Islamic scholarship since the Middle Ages. From this region emerged great ulama such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Maturidi, Imam al-Tirmidzi, Imam Abu Laits al-Samarqandi, and Imam Baha’uddin al-Naqsyabandi.

They made significant contributions in the disciplines of Hadith, Fiqh (jurisprudence), Tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), Tasawwuf (Sufism), and Theology. One central figure, Imam al-Bukhari (810–870 CE), is known as the most authentic Hadith narrator in Islam. His monumental work, Sahih al-Bukhari, remains a primary reference in Hadith studies throughout the Muslim world.

Photo Documentation:

(Rizkiyah Gustiana N./Fauziah M./Syarifah Nur K./Foto: M. Yahya)