South Tangerang, FAH News Online - Master's Study Program in Islamic History and Civilization, Faculty of Adab and Humanities UIN Jakarta, held an International Mini Symposium with the theme “New Trends on the Study of Indonesian Islam, Problems, and Prospect.” This scientific activity presents the world's leading academic, Prof. Robert W. Hefner, as the main resource person, and guided by Prof. Jajang Jahroni, MA., Ph.D. as moderator.

The event was opened by Dr. Ade Abdul Hak, S.Ag., SS, M.Hum., CIQnR, who in his speech emphasized the importance of reading the latest developments in Islamic studies in Indonesia. According to him, changing times require the academic world to continue to adapt to new dynamics. “Changes in the landscape of religious authority are now very pronounced, especially with the democratization of Islamic discourse on social media. "This is part of our research at the Faculty of Religion and Communities to strengthen academic contributions, including cooperation with the government," he said.

Dr. Ade also highlighted three important focuses relevant to the theme of the symposium, namely: the development of the Islamic education system and historical-cultural studies, increasing media literacy and the public sphere, as well as the urgency of examining new media and contemporary religious trends. “Today's discussion is very relevant to our efforts to connect new media and the latest trends in the Islamic context in Indonesia,” he added.

As the main resource person, Prof. Robert Hefner explained the latest developments in research on Indonesian Islam, including future challenges and opportunities. Prof. Hefner is a professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Pardee School of Global Affairs, Boston University. From 1986 to 2017, he worked alongside sociologist Peter L. Berger and served as director and associate director of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA).

Hefner is known as a social theorist with expertise in the anthropology of religion, ethics and law (including sharia), education and youth development, as well as the comparative study of gender, citizenship, globalization, and modernity. Throughout his career, he has directed around 24 major research projects and organized 19 international conferences covering issues ranging from Muslim politics, sharia law, to citizenship in Western democracies.

In his delivery, Prof. Hefner highlights two of his recent research focuses: first, the politics and ethics of pluralist coexistence in the Muslim-majority world, especially Indonesia and Malaysia; second, social recognition and citizenship among Catholic, Muslim and secular-liberal communities in France and the United States. He has published 21 books, seven of which have been translated into Indonesian and Malay, and one in Mandarin.

Apart from that, Hefner is also working on six documentary films with Zainal Abidin Bagir (UGM) regarding plurality, gender and citizenship in Indonesia, with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation. He is also completing books on Muslims, sharia law, and the search for modern Muslim ethics.

This international symposium is an important space for the UIN Jakarta academic community to explore new perspectives in understanding the development of Indonesian Islamic studies. Through in-depth dialogue with Prof. Hefner, this activity enriches academic discourse while expanding research networks and collaborations in the fields of history, anthropology and contemporary Islamic studies.

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