UIN Jakarta Marks Ministry of Religious Affairs' 80th Anniversary with Call for Unity and National Progress

SC, UIN News Online — UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta commemorated the 80th Anniversary of Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs with a flag ceremony attended by hundreds of faculty members, administrative staff, and students at the University's Student Center on Saturday (3 January 2026).

The ceremony was led by Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., Rector of UIN Jakarta, who delivered the official anniversary address of Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A. under the theme, "Religious Harmony and Synergy for a Peaceful and Progressive Indonesia."

In the Minister's message, religious harmony was described as more than the absence of conflict—it was presented as a strategic national asset that strengthens social cohesion and drives Indonesia's development.

"Harmony is a source of national strength. Through synergy and mutual understanding, we can build a peaceful, united, and progressive Indonesia," the Minister's address stated.

The speech also reaffirmed the Ministry's role in safeguarding Indonesia's religious diversity while promoting social justice and public welfare. Established 80 years ago, the Ministry continues to serve as an institution that fosters peaceful coexistence among Indonesia's diverse religious communities and ensures that faith contributes positively to national development.

The anniversary address highlighted several milestones achieved throughout 2025, including the expansion of digital public services, improvements in religious education, stronger interfaith initiatives, and broader community empowerment programs. It also underscored the Ministry's continued efforts to strengthen faith-based social finance—including zakat, waqf, charitable giving, and other philanthropic initiatives—as instruments for improving community welfare and supporting inclusive economic development.

In the education sector, the Ministry noted significant progress in the quality of Islamic schools, religious educational institutions, and higher education, emphasizing their growing contribution to Indonesia's national education system.

Addressing the UIN Jakarta academic community, Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar stressed that the University, as one of Indonesia's leading state Islamic universities under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has a strategic responsibility to support the Ministry's ongoing transformation through excellence in education, research, and community engagement.

"UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta has an important role in shaping intellectual and moral leadership while contributing to the Ministry's vision of strengthening education, religious moderation, and national development," he said.

He added that closer collaboration between the Ministry and state Islamic universities would be essential in preparing future generations who are academically accomplished, globally competitive, and firmly grounded in the values of religious moderation, inclusivity, and national unity.