Tangerang Selatan - FAH UIN Jakarta | In collaboration with Leiden University, the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH) of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (UIN Jakarta) held a Join Lecture which discussed the Digitalization of Manuscripts in Indonesia as well as the signing of a collaboration with Leiden University, the Netherlands in order to realize UIN Jakarta's vision, which is to become a university of global reputation with excellence in the integration of Islamic knowledge, Indonesianness, and science. The event, which was attended by hundreds of people, was held at Abdul Ghani Theater Room, 5th floor of FAH UIN Jakarta, Friday (28/09/2024).

Dean of FAH UIN Jakarta, Dr. Ade Abdul Hak, warmly welcomed the arrival of representatives from Leiden University and Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde (KITLV) Indonesia. "The highest gratitude from the FAH academic community is extended to Leiden University and also KITLV who have been willing to establish cooperation and take the time to attend in person at this very prestigious event," said Dr. Ade. In his speech, he also informed a little about the KITLV Library in Indonesia.

In the Join Lecture discussion, FAH UIN Jakarta invited three speakers, namely Dr. Verena Meyer as Assistant Professor of Islam in South and Southeast Asia, Leiden University, Prof. Dr. Jajat Burhanuddin, Μ.Α. as Head of the Master's Study Program in Islamic History and Civilization, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Jakarta, and Prof. Dr. Oman Fathurrahman, M.Hum. as Lecturer in the Master's Study Program in Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Adab and Humanities, UIN Jakarta & Principal Investigator of DREAMSEA, and moderated by Prof. Usep Abdul Matin, S.Ag., M.A., M.A., Ph.D. as the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni and Cooperation of UIN Jakarta.

In her presentation, Dr. Verena Meyer emphasized the importance of digitizing manuscripts in Indonesia. "The importance of digitization is an effort to create a narrative of arguments and evidence of the violence and actions that have been carried out by colonialism against countries," Meyer said. He also added, "After the conquest of Jogja, almost all the manuscripts were taken to England. Half went to the British Library and half were returned to Jogja. Where the rest are is unknown. Unfortunately, many manuscripts are not accessible at all in Indonesia due to cyber attacks."

In line with this, one of the Indonesian philologists who is also a lecturer at FAH UIN Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Oman Fathurrahman, stated that digitization is important to preserve manuscripts and see the identity of this nation. "Through the Digital Repository of Endangered and Affected Manuscripts in Southeast Asia (DREAMSEA) UIN Jakarta seeks to preserve manuscripts throughout Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia. The manuscripts are then digitized so that they can be fully accessed and open online," explained Oman Faturrahman. 

(Hilya Maylaffayza, S.IP./ Risa Tania/ Safira Putri N/ Sindy/ Abdullah Tsalis)