Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas noted that the Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies (AICIS) demonstrated the good implementation of open and moderate Islamic studies in Indonesia.

“Although AICIS is an international event on Islamic studies, the event also invites several Islamic studies observers from various other studies. It indicates that AICIS facilitates open and moderate Islamic studies in Indonesia,” he said in a statement on Friday.

He remarked that the event is a joint effort to continue encouraging a sense of love for science, honing intellectual capabilities, as well as contributing to the advancement of the nation, religion, and humanity.

Implementation of the 21st AICIS involved several domestic and foreign keynote speakers from different religious backgrounds.

“(This shows) the commitment of the Religious Affairs Ministry to providing capacity building for scientists as well as other intellectual sector players within the ministry, in particular, and throughout Indonesia, in general,” the minister stated.

The minister expected that the conference would generate a roadmap on the recontextualization of Islam whose implementation can involve world leaders, including political leaders and social organizations leaders; educational centers; as well as public figures inclusively and not only the ones with an Islamic background.

“If necessary, appoint several emissaries to implement the strategy (in the roadmap). Thus, it requires a serious effort,” Qoumas remarked.

In addition, establishment and implementation of the roadmap requires strong academic arguments and support, he affirmed.

He assessed that the recontextualization of Islam is important to be realized amid the current global uncertain conditions due to conflicts, economic recession, energy and food supply disruption, as well as inter-religious and inter-belief clashes.

The 21st AICIS is themed “The Future of Religious Affairs in G20, Digital Transformation, Knowledge Management, and Social Resilience.”

The event is being held in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province on October 20-22, 2022, and it will be continued in Bali Province on November 1-4, 2022.

Source: Antara News