UIN Public Relations – UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten held a Forum on Religious Moderation in the Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the Rectorate Building at UIN SMH Banten Campus 2 on Monday morning. The event, which was part of the 64th anniversary celebration of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, was held under the theme “Building Bridges of Tolerance: Fostering Interfaith Harmony Among the Younger Generation.”. This event was organized through a collaboration between UIN SMH Banten and the Central Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and bringing together a number of interfaith leaders and figures to strengthen dialogue and foster positive interactions among people of different faiths.
In his report, the Committee Chair, Dr. H. Zaenuri, S.Ag., M.Hum., stated that this event aims to strengthen bonds of friendship and foster harmony among people of different faiths amid the dynamics of national life.. Zaenuri stated, “We are holding this event in collaboration with the Central MUI and in consultation with representatives of all religious communities. Our hope is that the seeds of harmony sown on this campus can continue to spread throughout Indonesia. To foster national harmony and uphold the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, we need hard work and effective communication between the government, universities, and members of various religious communities.”.”
Meanwhile, the Rector of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, Dr. H. Muhammad Ishom, M.A., emphasized in his remarks the importance of fostering a deeper sense of unity that goes beyond a mere understanding of tolerance. The rector stated, “When we talk about religious moderation, we’re actually no longer talking about tolerance, but about unity. Tolerance still carries the initial impression of being forced, but with unity, we realize that we share many similarities as fellow human beings. Hopefully, with more events like this, we will not only engage in discussion but also inspire and set an example in fostering national unity.”.”
On the same occasion, the Secretary General of the Central MUI, Buya Dr. H. Amirsyah Tambunan, delivered a keynote address on the importance of fostering harmony by strengthening Wasathiyah Islam. According to data from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia’s Religious Harmony Index (IKUB) for 2025, the national score was recorded at 77.89, falling into the “high” category. Although the national score for tolerance is high at 88.82 and the score for equality is 79.35, the national score for solidarity remains at 65.49, indicating that the next challenge is to transform the attitude of accepting differences into participation and collaboration. Specifically for Banten Province, the KUB score was recorded at 75.85, with the tolerance dimension at 91.43, the equality dimension at 79.62, and the solidarity dimension at 56.50. The data underscores the importance of prioritizing concrete action on campus—from building interfaith student networks, carrying out joint social projects, and holding regular dialogues, to preventing misinformation and hate speech in the digital sphere.
The promotion of Wasathiyah Islam, which encompasses ten core principles such as the middle path (tawassuth), balance (tawazun), uprightness and firmness (i’tidal), tolerance (tasamuh), egalitarianism (musyawarah and musawah), reform (islah), prioritization (awlawiyah), dynamism and innovation (tathawwur wa ibtikar), and civility (tadhabbur), is considered crucial for safeguarding a safe and peaceful human civilization and for avoiding various conflicts and phobias toward religious teachings. Amirsyah emphasized that “Islam in various parts of the world offers solutions by strengthening the understanding of Wasathiyah Islam, with the vision of preserving a safe and peaceful human civilization so that it may be spared from various conflicts.”. Ukhuwah—which encompasses ukhuwah islamiyah, wathaniyah, and basyariyah—is also a vital pillar in maintaining democratic harmony and achieving prosperity.
To conclude the event, souvenirs were exchanged between the Central MUI and UIN SMH Banten as a token of appreciation and to strengthen their cooperative relationship.. The event then concluded with a group photo session featuring interfaith leaders and representatives, the organizing committee, and invited guests. Through the organization of this Forum on Religious Moderation, UIN SMH Banten hopes that the values of peace, mutual respect, and harmony will become more deeply rooted and strengthen the role of higher education institutions in fostering interfaith harmony in Indonesia.
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