Rector of UIN Jakarta Emphasizes the Importance of Religious Moderation through Islamic Universities

Auditorium Harun Nasution, UIN Online News - "UIN Jakarta, as an Islamic university, must be able to promote religious moderation through academic activities," emphasized the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D, during his speech at the public lecture themed "Strengthening Religious Moderation to Build Tolerance and Harmony" held at the Harun Nasution Auditorium on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. The event was attended by the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, Prof. Dr. Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad Ath-Thayyeb.

The event also featured Prof. Dr. M. Quraish Shihab, M.A, as the founder and member of the Muslim Council of Elders. Various officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, university rectors, invited guests, and the academic community of UIN Jakarta were also present.

Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar expressed his deepest gratitude for the visit of the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar University. The academic community of UIN Jakarta welcomed him warmly. Many alumni of Al-Azhar University were also present, eager to meet their esteemed teachers.

Prof. Asep explained that UIN Jakarta has a very close relationship with Al-Azhar University. This is evident from the establishment of the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FDI) at UIN Jakarta, which uses the curriculum and texts from Al-Azhar University. Many FDI lecturers are also Al-Azhar graduates.

"This shows that UIN Jakarta and Al-Azhar University have a very close relationship," he noted in his speech.

In his remarks, Prof. Asep stressed that in today's era, we have an obligation to spread moderate thinking, especially in Islamic universities. We must also embrace religious moderation as taught at Al-Azhar, as it is an Islamic university with a significant impact on the Islamic world.

"Moreover, Al-Azhar University is a place for studying Islam and producing scholars," he stated.

Prof. Asep also expressed his hope that we can follow and align with the moderate Islamic thinking of the Sheikhs at Al-Azhar University. According to him, such moderation fosters attitudes of cooperation, tolerance, and mutual respect, preventing societal conflicts.

He further emphasized that promoting the understanding of religious moderation within universities should be done through various methods, such as discussions during lectures and activities in organizations. Strengthening moderate Islamic thinking is crucial, especially considering Indonesia is the second-largest Muslim-majority country in the world.

The public lecture can be viewed through the following link: YouTube Live

(Muhammad Naufal Waliyyuddin/Fauziah M./Raihan Lail/ Faadhila Idris/Photo: Indra Aldiyansyah)