UIN Jakarta’s Religious Studies Program Fosters Tolerance and Cross-Faith Understanding

UIN News Online — Understanding religion and becoming a religious scholar are not necessarily the same thing. In a diverse country like Indonesia, where multiple faiths coexist, fostering tolerance and mutual understanding is essential to maintaining social harmony. Reflecting the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta promotes these values not only through public discourse and community engagement but also through academic programs designed to cultivate interfaith understanding.

One such program is the Religious Studies Program (Studi Agama-Agama/SAA) at the Faculty of Ushuluddin. While perhaps less familiar to the general public than other academic disciplines, the program plays a unique role in preparing students to understand religious diversity and engage constructively with different faith communities.

The program focuses on the academic study of religion, interfaith relations, and the social dynamics of religious life. Students are introduced not only to Islamic traditions but also to the beliefs, histories, and practices of other major religions, including Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Through this multidisciplinary approach, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to foster dialogue, build bridges across religious communities, and contribute to peaceful coexistence in increasingly diverse societies.

Graduates of the program earn the degree Sarjana Agama (S.Ag.), in accordance with academic standards for religious studies programs at Indonesia’s State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN). Alumni pursue careers in a variety of fields, including education, religious affairs, research, public service, community development, and interfaith engagement.

The curriculum combines classical and contemporary approaches to the study of religion. Courses include Religion and Contemporary Issues, Social Movement Theory, Themes in Interreligious Studies, Gender Relations in Islam, New Religious Movements, Geography of Religion, and Foundations of Religion, among others.

Beyond classroom learning, students actively participate in interfaith initiatives through the Student Association of the Interreligious Studies Program (HMPS SAA). Activities include webinars, seminars, public discussions, collaborative research projects, and celebrations of major religious observances conducted alongside various faith communities and partner institutions.

One notable example took place on March 14, 2026, when SAA students collaborated with Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia to organize a Ramadan charity dinner for 100 orphaned children. The event reflected the program’s commitment to promoting solidarity and cooperation across religious boundaries.

In an interview with UIN Online News, Eka Maulidya Zahra, Head of the Literacy and Education Division of HMPS SAA, explained that interfaith engagement remains central to the organization’s mission.

“Most of our activities involve collaboration and interfaith engagement. In the future, we plan to organize more seminars, discussions, podcasts, and webinars with various religious communities. Since our academic focus is centered on interfaith understanding, our programs naturally support that educational mission,” she said.

According to Eka, the student association is currently preparing several collaborative initiatives, including dialogue programs with members of the Ahmadiyya community and other faith-based organizations.

The Interreligious Studies Program is particularly suited for students who are interested in religious diversity, social harmony, peacebuilding, and cross-cultural understanding. By encouraging critical thinking, empathy, and meaningful dialogue, the program equips students to navigate the complexities of modern pluralistic societies while contributing positively to interreligious relations.

As Indonesia continues to embrace its rich diversity, programs such as SAA demonstrate how higher education can play a vital role in nurturing future leaders who value tolerance, mutual respect, and constructive engagement across differences.