The international seminar entitled “A Post-Orientalist Study of Indonesian Islamic History” was held with the aim of exploring how to study Islam in Indonesia in a post-orientalist framework. This activity took place in the dean's room on the 2nd floor of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities building and partly through a zoom meeting on July 17, 2024.

Dr. Ade Abdul Hak, M.Hum was present to give a speech to the activity which was attended by experts and academics who discussed various perspectives on colonialism, orientalism, and the development of Islamic studies in Indonesia.

The speakers in this seminar were presented from the University of California, USA, Muhammad Ali, Ph.D and Professor in Political Science UIN Jakarta Prof. Ali Munhanif, MA., Ph.D with a discussion lighter from the head of the SKI master program Prof.Dr. Jajat Burhanuddin, MA.

The speakers explained that orientalism often sees the East as a singular and underdeveloped entity. Although colonialism and orientalism are two different things, orientalism is considered a form of colonialism. Post-colonialism highlights the continuing impact of colonialism on society, especially in the Middle East. Not all orientalists are necessarily associated with colonialism, depending on how it is studied.

Decolonialism is defined as an attempt to actually find solutions and replace the influence of colonialism. It is considered stronger than orientalism.

Specific discussions on the history of religion in Indonesia, orientalist thinking and cosmopolitanism, critique and development of historical studies, the concept of Islam and contemporary developments, shifts in Islamic studies, and rearabizing and local challenges.

At the end of the session it was revealed that all Islam is local, and post-orientalism emphasizes the local aspect. The task of historians is to understand the context in which they lived and explain without bias. Historians should focus on changing perspectives and avoid subjective judgments.

Author: Annisa/Okta