“Religion and Society: A Dialogue”
Activity Report of the Indonesia Trip on January 2nd – 14th, 2008
by Istasadhya

As a part of the scholar exchange sponsored by U.S state Department in the program “Religion and Society: A Dialogue” (RSD), from January 2nd to 14th, 2008 five US delegates visited three Indonesian cities: Palembang, Yogyakarta and Jakarta. The US scholars were Ahmed Abubaker Al-Shingieti, Ph.D from the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), Sulayman Nyang, Ph.D from Howard University, DR. Racelle Weiman from Temple University, Sr. Marriane Farina, Ph.D from Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and Milia Islam from Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). This program was administered by Legacy International in Virginia, US and the Center for Civic Education Indonesia, Jakarta.

The Indonesian trip to Palembang, South Sumatra took place from January 2nd to 5th. The scholars had a chance to visit academic institutions and to appear on local Television. At the Raden Fatah State Islamic Institution they had an interesting seminar about greater understanding regarding Islamic position in society and the internationalization of Islamic studies at Islamic universities. Link article please see Radar Palembang Press (01/04/08).

Seminar at Raden Fatah Islamic State Institute (IAIN), Palembang

Television Talk Show at the PalTV, Palembang

The next trip was to Yogyakarta. The scholars visited a Buddhist Community, the Pandanaran Islamic boarding school, Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University, Dian Interfidei (an interfaith organization), the Center for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS) at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and the St. Paulus Seminary School.
A Public seminar in Yogyakarta was held at the Muhammadiyah University (UMY) at its American Corner of UMY. The scholars shared their knowledge on the theme of “Religious Life and Religious Studies.” One of the audience (a student of International Relations department) shared his opinion about this event: “This was a new experience for me since this is the first time I could meet people from US with different religious backgrounds that informed me about religious life in US and especially since I met the Jewish scholar who gave me positive perspective about Jewish people, that they also have a common mission toward all religious believers which is to have a harmonious relationship among religions and spread peacefulness.” Link article please see Bernas Yogyakarta press (01/08/08).

Seminar at the American Corner, Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMY), Yogyakarta

In Jakarta they stayed for five days, from January 9th to 14th. Dialogues occurred between Indonesian Ulema Council representatives and the scholars. Another dialogue was with the representatives from Islamist Prosperous and Welfare Party, a salafist, pro-syariah party. The scholars also had a chance to have dinner and informal dialogue with the former President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur.

Posed with K.H Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and Ny. Shinta Nuriyah, Jakarta

One big seminar was held at the Paramadina Mulya University on January 12th. The topic was “Pluralism and Multiculturalism in Recent Indonesia and American Contexts.” Link article please see Kompas (01/14/08) and Jakarta Post newspapers (01/14/08). Overall, during the full 12 days Indonesian trip there were so many beneficial experinces and understanding that were gained. Indonesia is still struggling to embrace pluralism. Nevertheless, there is a hope to have better understanding and collaboration about the plurality in any aspects mainly about religions and cultures. Quoted from Sr. Marriane Farina: “In doing the interfaith dialog to build mutual understanding there are some steps need to be followed, information, education, conversation, and finally collaboration.”

Discussion at Paramadina University, Jakarta

Meanwhile, Husein Heriyanto, one of the RSD alumni from Jakarta, said: “To have peace and respect among religions there need to be an awareness from all people. And this awareness cannot be gained unless by using external factors. This trip is an external factor to build an awareness for the people, which hopefully will accomplish the true objective, healthy relationships between religions.”