Bukittinggi, Wednesday, September 13, 2023 – The Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah (FUAD) at the State Islamic University (UIN) Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi proudly hosted the 5th Annual International Conference on Islamic Moderation (AICIM), themed “Understanding Religious Moderation in the Islamic World.” This prestigious international conference took place at the Student Centre Auditorium of UIN Bukittinggi, starting at 08:00 WIB.
This prestigious international conference serves as an important forum for scholars, thinkers, practitioners, and students to reflect on religious moderation in Islam from a global perspective. The annual international conference was attended by leading experts and thinkers in the field of religious moderation from various countries. The event aims to promote a better understanding of the concept of religious moderation in Islam and how this concept can be applied globally in the Islamic world.
Several renowned keynote speakers were invited to share their insights, including Prof. Kamaluddin Nurdin Marjuni from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Brunei Darussalam, Prof. Syarul Azman from Universitas Islam Selangor, Prof. Kamal Urfi from Algiers University, and Prof. Abdussalam Al-Majidy from Qatar University.
These keynote speakers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge enriched by the culture and history of their respective countries, stimulating discussions on how Islam views and promotes religious moderation in a global context.
In addition to the international keynote speakers, local speakers from the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah at UIN Bukittinggi, Nunu Burhanuddin and Rahima Sikumbang, also provided valuable insights. They discussed local efforts to promote religious moderation in Indonesia, involving unique cultural and social issues.
The event was officially opened by Vice Rector I of UIN Bukittinggi, Asyari. In his speech, the Vice Rector I stated, “Religious moderation is a relevant and important concept in facing the changing times. We hope that this 5th AICIM will be a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and views on how we can promote religious moderation in a global context,” he said.
Asyari emphasized that religious moderation is a crucial theme, noting that differences must be managed well. Moderation serves as a means to prevent social conflicts that could occur in a diverse society.
The Dean of FUAD, Prof. Syahwan Rozi, also gave an opening speech, motivating participants to actively engage in discussions and explore various perspectives on religious moderation. “Through this conference, we hope to stimulate critical thinking and collaboration among experts, academics, and practitioners in efforts to achieve better religious moderation in our society and around the world,” he said.
The main conference sessions provided a solid foundation for further exploration of religious moderation. This was followed by parallel presentation sessions, where participants presented their previously submitted papers. Some of the sub-themes addressed in these papers included Quranic Perspective, Hadith Perspective, Historical Perspective, Communication, Sociological, and Philosophical Perspective.
These presentation sessions provided an opportunity for participants to share their research findings, exchange ideas, and deepen their understanding of religious moderation in a more detailed framework.
The 5th AICIM is expected to be a significant step in promoting religious moderation as a solution to global challenges in the context of Islam. Discussions led by leading experts are expected to provide new insights and deeper understanding of the importance of religious moderation in today’s increasingly complex world. The conference also creates opportunities for participants to build strong networks and collaborations in advancing global religious moderation.
This international conference also underscores the importance of global cooperation in addressing the complex challenges faced by the Islamic world and the international community at large. It serves not only as a forum for discussion but also as a platform to promote diversity of opinion, understanding, and moderate religious practices.
It is hoped that the outcomes of the 5th AICIM will inspire concrete actions in promoting religious moderation, building tolerance, and creating a safer and more inclusive world for all, regardless of religious or cultural background.
This event marks a historic milestone in efforts to understand and promote religious moderation at local, national, and global levels, while strengthening UIN Bukittinggi’s role as a prominent academic center in Islamic studies among State Islamic Universities (PTKIN). (*Public Relations UIN Bukittinggi)