Reframing Da’wa as Cultural Diplomacy: UIN Jakarta Seminar Advances Global Dialogue on Women and Peace

Auditorium Bahtiar Effendy, UIN Online News — The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, along with the PP Muslimat Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Indonesia, organized a seminar called “Da’wa Movement as an Instrument of Indonesia’s Cultural Diplomacy in the Global Arena” at the Bahtiar Effendy Auditorium on Campus II of UIN Jakarta, which was also streamed online on Tuesday (4/11/2025)

Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) and Muslimat NU are organizations focusing on religious and cultural engagement to promote peace, uphold tolerance, and advocate for gender equality in both domestic and regional domains.

The seminar featured Indonesia’s Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, M.Si., and was attended by UIN Jakarta Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., representatives from PP Muslimat NU, and members of the academic community. Participants from Muslimat NU overseas chapters in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Germany also joined the session virtually.

Asep Saepudin Jahar opened the forum by reflecting UIN Jakarta's commitment to strengthening public diplomacy literacy and advancing women’s roles.

“Women hold a central role in the context of international relations, whether as a diplomat or manager for the NGO. We hope the ideas emerging from this seminar can contribute to advancing diplomacy and women’s protection agendas at the global level,” he stated.

In line with the women empowerment topic, Arifah Fauzi underscored that Indonesian women must serve as key actors in public diplomacy.

“Indonesian women should be involved as the architects of the nation’s narrative on the global stage. They are youth who improvise in response to the pace of modern progress by continuously developing their skills and adaptability,” she added.

Dean of FISIP Dr. Dzuriyatun Toyibah, M.Si., noted that the space for public diplomacy has expanded along with advancements in communication technology.

“In the digital era, everyone has the opportunity to engage in diplomacy through public platforms and social media. As for the Muslimat NU, women in the diaspora countries play a strategic role in promoting Indonesia’s image as a moderate and peaceful nation,” she conveyed.

Meanwhile, Head of PSGA UIN Jakarta Dr. Wiwi Siti Sajaroh, M.A., highlighted women’s vital role in amplifying the values of humanity and peace.

“Women are key actors in voicing messages of peace through fa’wa and diplomacy, which share a message of harmony,” she affirmed.

(Kareena Auliya J./Fauziah M./Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham)