Sunday, April 17, 2022, coinciding with the peak celebration of Easter, the Student Association of the Study Program (HMPS) of Religious Studies of UIN Sunan Kalijaga has organized Roadshow and Interfaith Gathering activities in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Area, Ganjuran, Bantul.

This activity was opened to the public so that it was not only enlivened by students of Religious Studies specifically, but was attended by participants from other study programs, including two CRCS UGM students. The enthusiasm of students in general was very high to participate in the activity. However, due to the limitations of HMPS SAA, not all participants who registered could be accepted.

Chairman of HMPS Studi Agama-Agama Bilqis said, "We cannot accept all applicants, because this activity has limited participants. Hopefully, the registrants who could not participate this time can participate in the upcoming Roadshow and Interfaith Gathering."

By raising the theme "The Urgency of Local Cultural Acculturation in the Spread of Religion" in this activity, it is intended that the understanding of participants, especially students, on religious and cultural issues increases and deepens. This means that the background of the establishment of houses of worship in the Church and Sacred Heart of the Lord Jesus neighborhood is not only influenced by one pure aspect of religion, but cultural factors, economics, social class, and Javanese customs also enrich the perspective of how a religion can be accepted and embraced by the local community.

Understanding the concept of cultural acculturation in religion is also explored more deeply in both Catholicism and Islam. In addition, explained by Ibnul Hafidz as Chairman of the Committee, this event has succeeded in presenting a space for discussion and dialog on aspects of religion that often have prejudices from outsiders, so that with the elimination of these prejudices, interfaith and interfaith relationships can be even closer.

"What is interesting about the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Ganjuran, is how the image of Jesus and Mary is displayed in thick Javanese cultural nuances. The ornaments and areas there are very distinctive..." said Aviccena, Head of the Intellectual Division of HMPS.

The details of the activity began with the Official Opening; then the tour around the Sacred Heart of the Lord Jesus Church; the core event, namely the "diologue" led by two speakers between Mr. Arafat Noor, M.Ag. and Father Heremonius Roni Suryo Nugroho. Then, in this activity, students had the opportunity by the church to witness the Evening Mass, although not until it was over, because the participants had to break their fast and pray Maghrib in congregation.

"Hopefully this Interfaith Dialogue activity will be able to bridge understanding and strengthen cooperation in the future. This multicultural and multi-religion Indonesia can be managed well by the next generations. I, myself, am happy to be able to add insight into Catholicism"⸺ said Revi Mahersa, a student of Al-Quran and Tafsir '20 UIN Sunan Kalijaga.