SERANG - The Student Executive Board (DEMA) of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Adab (FUDA) UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin (SMH) Banten has successfully held Public Dialogue on Thursday, November 27, 2025. This agenda is a series of peak events in commemorating FUDA's 28th Anniversary, It also serves as a forum for academic reflection on contemporary socio-religious dynamics.
With the theme:
“Reading the Feudal Pesantren Issue: Between Tradition Wisdom and Media Freedom”,
This forum presents a space for critical and objective discussion about the position of pesantren in the era of information openness, especially when traditional Islamic educational institutions are increasingly in contact with the public spotlight and mass media coverage.
Dean's Highlights: Keeping the Spirit of Tradition in the Era of Open Media
Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Adab, Dr. Masykur, M.Hum, was present to give a speech as well as open the event. In his speech, he emphasized that the theme chosen by the students was very relevant to the current social and religious conditions.
According to him, pesantren are in the “spotlight” of the media and the wider community. The events that have surfaced in the national media, including the aired by Trans 7, It has triggered a discourse on how pesantren are understood, criticized, and framed in the news.
“Pesantren are now often in the media spotlight, especially after the events aired by Trans 7. This requires us to re-read the position of pesantren-how do we balance between maintaining the dignity of tradition with openness in the era of press freedom,”
said Dr. Masykur in front of all participants.
He added that discussions like this are important so that students do not only become observers, but also critical analysts who understand the social dynamics of religion comprehensively.
Setting the Record Straight: Establishing the Faculty's Birthday
This year's anniversary celebration became historical moment for FUDA. In addition to celebrating the age of the faculty, this year is also an important marker because it was successfully explained academically when the faculty was actually established.
Dr. Masykur revealed that the determination of the anniversary date originated from academic anxiety that emerged among the lecturers and campus community. There is confusion about when exactly the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Adab was officially established.
Based on this concern, archival searches, legal documents, and analysis of institutional history were conducted.
“The beginning of this anniversary came from academic anxiety. After we traced the archives and history of the faculty's establishment, it was determined that March 21, 1997 was the milestone,”
Dr. Masykur said.
The date is the momentum of the birth of forerunner of the faculty, i.e. Ushuluddin Department, which in the following period developed and institutionalized into Faculty of Ushuluddin and Adab (FUDA) as it is known today.
This March 21, 1997 stipulation became a strong foundation in celebrating the 28th Anniversary, as well as emphasizing FUDA's identity, historical journey, and academic commitment at the local and national levels.
Enthusiastic Participants: A Critical and Insightful Discussion Space
The Public Dialogue event took place solemnly and enthusiastically. Present in this activity:
Dean's office
Lecturers and teaching staff
Hundreds of students from various study programs
The discussion was active, with a variety of perspectives emerging on the subject:
the dynamics of pesantren leadership,
issues of feudalism and power relations,
the role of the media in shaping public opinion,
and how pesantren maintain traditional values amidst the demands of transparency.
This activity is not only a celebration of the Anniversary, but also a celebration of intellectual space who brought the scientific atmosphere of FUDA to life.
