Bandung, 9 August 2025 – The Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS) at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), in collaboration with Institut Agama Islam Persatuan Islam (IAI Persis) Bandung, successfully held Inclusiverse: Aura Farming Parahyangan – Reading Islam and Indonesia from Bandung. The one-day cross-disciplinary forum brought together scholars, researchers, and students to engage in in-depth discussions on the relationship between Islam, nationhood, and cosmopolitanism through the lens of Bandung’s history and cultural significance.
Bandung as a Historical and Intellectual Hub
Bandung, often celebrated as Indonesia’s “creative city,” has long been an important center in the country’s Islamic history. From the emergence of campus-based Islamic movements to the historic Asian–African Conference, Bandung has served as a meeting point for ideas, cultures, and political visions. By choosing Bandung as the site of Inclusiverse, the organizers highlighted its enduring role in shaping Islamic thought and its intersection with nationalism and global discourse.
Opening Session and Keynote Lectures
The event opened with a warm welcome and keynote lectures from Prof. Dr. Jajang A. Rohmana (IAI Persis Bandung) and Prof. Dr. Yanwar Pribadi (UIII). Both speakers emphasized the importance of collaborative academic spaces that bridge different disciplines and perspectives, particularly in understanding Islam within Indonesia’s plural and dynamic context.
Four Academic Sessions and Workshops
The first session, The Principles of Wasatiyyah in Islam and Their Contemporary Manifestations, was led by Dr. Roni Nugraha, Dr. Farid F. Saenong, and Dr. Mughzi Abdillah. It explored wasatiyyah (Islamic moderation) as a guiding principle for religious life today, examining how moderation is understood and practiced in contemporary Indonesian society and its potential role in fostering interfaith harmony and national unity.
In the second session, Islam, Indonesia, and the World from Bandung’s Perspective: Ideas, History, and Politics, Dr. Nurdin Qusyaeri, Zezen Z. Muttaqien, Ph.D., and Dr. Zacky Khairul Umam discussed Bandung’s symbolic and practical significance in connecting Islamic thought to nationalist movements and international politics. Their discussion ranged from Bandung’s role during the anti-colonial struggle to the present-day challenges of globalization.
The third part of the program was Workshop I: Finding Perspectives, Reading ‘Aura Farming’: Muslim Pop Cultures, facilitated by Prof. Syamsul Rijal and Bhirawa Anoraga, Ph.D. This interactive workshop encouraged participants to critically examine Muslim popular culture through the lens of the “Aura Farming” concept, highlighting how Islamic values, identity, and aesthetics are negotiated within contemporary popular media and cultural production.
The day concluded with Workshop II: Academic Writing Skills Training, conducted by Haula Noor, Ph.D. This practical session equipped participants with effective techniques for producing academic papers, including strategies for developing strong arguments, structuring scholarly work, and enhancing the visibility of research in the academic community.
Interactive Elements and Networking Opportunities
Inclusiverse was designed not only as a scholarly forum but also as a platform for connection and collaboration. Interactive games, coffee breaks, and informal discussions gave participants opportunities to exchange ideas, build networks, and explore potential joint research projects.
Advancing Inclusive and Global Islamic Discourse
By bringing together perspectives from Islamic studies, history, politics, and cultural studies, Inclusiverse reaffirmed the value of cross-disciplinary dialogue. The collaboration between UIII and IAI Persis Bandung reflected a shared commitment to advancing inclusive, contextual, and globally relevant understandings of Islam—rooted in local history yet open to international engagement.
