Reflecting Genuine Grassroots Tolerance, Hindu Student Shares Inspiring Journey of Belonging and Inclusivity at UIN Jakarta
CIPUTAT, UIN Online News – Embodying the core values of pluralism and equal academic access, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta continues to prove its identity as a fully inclusive higher education institution. Removing barriers based on religious, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, the state Islamic university provides a safe, welcoming, and supportive academic home for non-Muslim scholars pursuing higher education in Indonesia.
A compelling testament to this living tolerance is Ni Wayan Nayaka Sanjiwani, affectionately known as Naya, a Hindu undergraduate student from the Class of 2025 studying Library Science at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH).
Choosing to study at a state Islamic university was initially accompanied by personal hesitation and adaptation challenges for Naya, particularly regarding campus dress codes and mandatory Islamic studies coursework.
"When I first tried wearing the hijab for my orientation video, I felt awkward and unaccustomed to it," Naya recalled candidly. "I was worried that I would be isolated or struggle to find friends because of my religious background. But looking back, I realize that divine wisdom brought me here to blend naturally with people of different faiths."
Contrary to her initial anxieties, Naya experienced extraordinary warmth and solidarity from her Muslim peers. From helping her adjust her headscarf during student orientation to tutoring her in basic Islamic philosophy, her classmates ensured she never felt alone on campus.
Naya’s academic journey highlights the empathetic approach of UIN Jakarta's faculty. In foundational courses requiring the recitation of short Quranic verses, her professors provided constructive adaptations, allowing her to memorize foundational chapters like Al-Fatiha as a passage she had become familiar with since attending public primary school.
Fascinatingly, daily life within a vibrant Islamic campus ecosystem has led to natural cultural integration. Naya shares that phrases such as "InsyaAllah", "Astaghfirullah", and "Assalamualaikum" now trip spontaneously and warmly from her tongue in everyday conversations.
Naya's journey stands as vivid, living proof that UIN Jakarta’s commitment to being an inclusive campus extends far beyond institutional rhetoric. By fostering a healthy, tolerant, and deeply supportive environment for students of all faiths, UIN Jakarta successfully models how Islamic higher education can serve as a beacon of harmony, unity, and mutual respect for the nation.
(Meisa/Zaenal/Arifin)