The symposium, themed "Religious Heritage on Tolerance, Non-Violence, and Accommodated Traditions," is being held from August 2–4, 2023.
The theme is closely related to religious moderation, said Amin Suyitno, head of the ministry's R&D, Education, and Training Agency (Balitbang Diklat), on Wednesday.
Indonesia is currently facing a rising trend of intolerance, particularly in the education sector, he explained.
Therefore, he said, campuses must strive to become spaces that promote religious moderation.
"Religious moderation upholds human universalism. It is necessary to humanize human beings, which is the essence of religious moderation," he added.
He further stated that madrasahs or educational institutions under the auspices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and schools under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, have different ways of expressing religious moderation, and both must be supported fairly.
He said that the Religious Affairs Ministry has the responsibility of preserving the culture of the archipelago, especially amid the growing rejection of local wisdom.
He explained that the national motto "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) cannot be separated from cultural values.
"Preserving culture means maintaining the nation's dignity, ethics, and civility, so that the Indonesian nation does not lose its footing," he said.
Meanwhile, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN) Rector Al Makin said that the international agenda can maintain UIN's friendship with various parties, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and other universities in Indonesia.
"(Through this symposium), we develop science that is based on religious moderation together, within the diverse and harmonious society of Indonesia," Makin added.
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Translator: Hery S, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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