Promoting Peace and Harmony: UIN Jakarta Hosts Religious Moderation Talk 2024

Main Auditorium, UIN News Online – UIN Jakarta, in collaboration with Alif Iqra, a Qur'anic education institution managed by UIN Jakarta students and alumni, successfully held the Religious Moderation Talk 2024 on Sunday (15/12/2024) at the Harun Nasution Auditorium. Targeting university students and millennial Qur'an teachers, the event emphasized the importance of religious moderation as a foundation for peace, tolerance, and unity in society.

Representing UIN Jakarta's leadership, the Head of the Quality Assurance Agency (LPM), Prof. Dr. Khamami Zada, MA, MDC, alongside Alif Iqra CEO Nahdlotur Rosyidah, highlighted the critical need for a balanced understanding of religion. “A balanced understanding of religion will prevent misconceptions that can harm individuals and communities,” he stated.

Themed “Strengthening Religious Moderation for University Students and Millennial Qur'an Teachers,” the event featured Prof. Dr. K.H. Arief Zamhari, M.Ag., Ph.D., Head of UIN Jakarta's Religious Moderation Center, as the keynote speaker.

The Urgency of Religious Moderation

During his presentation, Prof. Arief highlighted the pressing need for religious moderation to address contemporary challenges:

“There are three key reasons why moderation must be prioritized. First, the rise of subjective claims, such as opposition to building pesantren, reflects intolerance that can trigger social conflict. Second, the surge of religious extremism that ignores human values—evident in tragic events like the Surabaya bombing. Third, we need to balance religious enthusiasm with national commitment, as Pancasila aligns with religious values and strengthens unity,” he explained.

Prof. Arief further emphasized that Pancasila and state laws serve as practical guidelines for harmonious living within a diverse society. “Balancing religious and national values is key to maintaining unity,” he added.

Challenges in Understanding Religion

Prof. Arief also outlined two major challenges that hinder religious harmony:

“The first challenge is the tendency to interpret religious texts rigidly and literally, without considering historical and cultural contexts. This can escalate social tensions. The second challenge is the oversimplification of religion, where Islamic values are diluted to fit globalization, weakening the core principles of the faith,” he remarked.

Religious Moderation as a Path to Harmony

Prof. Arief reminded participants that moderation is the antidote to extremism and oversimplification. Indicators of moderation, he noted, include national commitment, tolerance, non-violence, and respect for local traditions.

“Do not let the name of religion justify actions that harm humanity, violate social agreements, or contradict the law. The Sarinah bombing, for instance, tarnished Islam’s image as a religion of rahmatan lil 'alamin (mercy for all creation),” he emphasized.

A Call to Action

Concluding his talk, Prof. Arief reiterated that religious moderation is the key to fostering tolerance and peace.

“Religious moderation is the cornerstone for creating harmony at local, national, and global levels. By embracing it, we can build a just and inclusive society,” he concluded.

The event served as a timely reminder for students to adopt balanced perspectives in practicing their faith while contributing positively to society.

(Alfina Ika Arianti/Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Muhammad Ghifari Rahman)