Attending Interfaith and Intercivilizational Reception, UIN Chancellor Raden Fatah: Interfaith Forum Must be Continued Until Higher Education

PR – UINRF – Chancellor of Raden Fatah State Islamic University Palembang Prof. Dr. Nyayu Khodijah, S.Ag., M, Si attended the interfaith and intercivilizational reception forum. The forum, which was initiated by the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, took place at the Pullman Hotel, Jakarta Central Park, on Wednesday (10/7/2024).

Present directly at this activity were Grand Shaykh Al Azhar Ahmad Al Tayeb, Rais’ Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar, General Chairperson of PBNU KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, leaders of religions: Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucianism, together with representatives of their respective congregations, as well as nearly 300 Chancellors from various universities and more than 1000 cadres from NU Muslimat, NU Ansor, NU Fatayat, NU male and female students and Al Azhar students.

This interfaith and civilization forum was also attended virtually via an internet connection by the NU congregation at more than 3000 points throughout Indonesia so that in total there were more than 300 thousand people following and listening to the messages of Imam Akbar Al Azhar.

In his welcoming speech, KH Yahya said that Indonesia is a country that a thousand years ago welcomed the arrival of Ahlis Sunnah Wal Jama’ah in a friendly manner, then embraced the guidance of Ahlis Sunnah Wal Jama’ah as part of its civilization while remaining adamant about maintaining its hospitality to everyone. even though they are different, and continue to be determined to preserve brotherhood, equality and harmony amidst various ethnicities, cultures and religions.

“Thank you for the role of Shaikh and Al Azhar in echoing calls for global peace from the Islamic world, including by introducing discourse on Wasathiyah Islam,” he said.

More specifically, Nahdlatul Ulama must express its indescribable gratitude for Al Azhar’s services for more than a century in educating our students with the knowledge of Ahlis Sunnah Wal Jama’ah scholars to become instructors and guides of the ummah so that Azhariyyun scholars are scattered throughout our jam’iyyah and congregation. Prof. Dr. Nyayu Khodijah, S.Ag., M.Si as Chancellor of UIN Raden Fatah Palembang revealed that this interfaith and civilization forum is a major milestone in realizing peace among religious communities. So forums like this need to be continued down to higher education institutions, especially religious universities.