The international seminar titled Dialog Moderasi Beragama Dalam Bahasa Al-Qur’an (Dialogue on Religious Moderation in the Language of the Qur'an) was held in the auditorium of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyyah (FDI) on Friday, May 27, 2022. The seminar featured four speakers: Prof. Dr. Hj. Amany Burhanuddin Umar Lubis, Lc., MA, Dr. Ali Ibrahim, Dr. Alfian Iqbal MA, and Dr. Fathallah Muhammad Fathallah.

In the seminar, Ali Ibrahim, the head of the Al-Azhar Cairo delegation in Indonesia, stated that religious moderation is a prophetic method of preaching. "Wasathiyyah (moderation) is the essence of Islam, and it becomes the principle of goodness in life, including the principles of civilization, ease, security, politics, and social life (Mabda' Al-Ta’ayusy). It even becomes the very comprehensive method of prophetic preaching in the Qur'an that will never change," he explained.

When discussing wasathiyyah, we must always refer to its definition, which means moderation or balance. This was the core of the presentation by Dr. Alfian Iqbal, M.A., the second speaker. In Indonesia, Islamic preaching with a method of religious moderation was pioneered by the Wali Sanga (Nine Saints). This was highly appreciated by Dr. Fathallah Muhammad Fathallah, the Al-Azhar representative in Indonesia. "As an Egyptian, I highly appreciate the preaching of the Nine Saints, who have set an example as the propagators of religious moderation in Indonesia," said Fathallah.

Discussing wasathiyyah, the Qur'an has addressed it in several verses, including Surah Al-Isra and Al-Baqarah. "Look at Allah’s words in the Qur'an, for example in verse 110 of Surah Al-Isra and verse 68 of Surah Al-Baqarah. Both become models of tawassuth (moderation) as the purpose of diversity in the Qur'an," added Ali Ibrahim.

Before the speakers presented their talks, the Rector of UIN Jakarta also delivered a welcoming speech. In her remarks, Dr. Amany Lubis invited the seminar participants to spread Islamic teachings in a gentle manner as exemplified by the Prophet. "Let us deepen our understanding of Islam, which spreads Islamic teachings gently, as the Prophet himself has shown," said Dr. Amany Lubis, Rector of UIN Jakarta.

The Rector also emphasized the importance of turning into kasafah hayyah (living culture) some of the points discussed in the Bogor Resolution. The Bogor Resolution, held in 2018 in the city of Bogor in collaboration with Grand Sheikh Al-Thoyyib, includes principles such as al-Tawasshut (mediation), al-I’tidzal (moderation), al-Tasamuh (tolerance), Asy-Syura (consultation), al-Ishlah (reform), al-Qudwah (exemplar), and al-Muwathonah (nationalism).

(Journalism Team: Raihanizza Ishma Farahiya, Editor: Lisda Vebi Angelina).