The Religious Studies (SAA) Student Association (HMPS) of State Islamic University, has finished organizing an interfaith interactive dialogue on Sunday (31/10/2021). The event is one of the efforts of Religious Studies students in particular and the community in general, to get to know and understand each other between religious believers.

"This event is one of the concrete proofs that Religious Studies students are students who are open and active in voicing tolerance. Because, tolerance can be formed because it starts from knowing and understanding each other," said the head of HMPS Religious Studies, Muhamad Fauzi on Friday (29/10/2021).

Because it is still in the pandemic period, the event was held through a zoom meeting. The theme was "The Influence of Religious Sects on the Integrity of Indonesia" which was hosted by Derry Ahmad Rizal, M.A. (lecturer of Religious Studies Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University) and attended by three speakers, Romo Dr. Martinus Joko Lelono, SS, M.Hum. representing Catholicism, Pandita Muda Totok Tejamanu from Buddhism, and KH Achmad Labib, S.E., M.M. representing Islam.

According to Na'imatuz Zahriyah, vice chairman of HMPS (SAA), the dialogue took a theme related to the integrity of the country because currently there are still frequent bughot carried out in the name of religion. This is because there are still many people who think that if the basis and system of the state are not in accordance with the interpretation of the religion they believe in, then it is obligatory to change. Because, it is claimed to be contrary to God's commandments.

The above was also agreed by KH Achmad Labib, he said, "Not long ago, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) was dissolved. We should be grateful. If the organization had not been disbanded, Indonesia would have been threatened by a crisis of inter-religious warfare. Radicals are too strict in interpreting religious texts. Let's not let the tragedy of killing because of different religions or sects happen again. After all, the differences that humans have are the manifestation of God's grace."

According to Romo Joko and Pandita Totok, the basis of the state in the form of UUD '45 and Pancasila is appropriate for the conditions of this multicultural nation. They believe that as long as the state foundation applies, wars or conflicts between religious communities can continue to be minimized.

"On that basis, interfaith dialog is very necessary. It is not an event to argue with each other and show off their respective religions, but to connect the bonds of brotherhood among the nation's children. Differences are an absolute thing," said the moderator, Derry Ahmad Rizal, when giving an introduction to the event.

Actually, this interfaith dialog is a series of events from the Tolerance School week which has become the annual agenda of HMPS (SAA). Such events will continue to be echoed in the campus realm, because in addition to being a space for discussion, it also serves to form students who can spread tolerance.

"We from the Religious Studies Study Program will continue to support HMPS (SAA) events. After all, such dialogue will continue to be needed. Indonesia is a religiously diverse country. So, such events are one of the efforts of the Religious Studies department in order to spread tolerance on Indonesian soil," said Head of Religious Studies Study Department, Dr. Dian Nur Anna on Monday (1/11/2021).

Author: Slamet Makhsun (Secretary of HMPS SAA)