The Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) is pleased to announce that Rifqi Nurdiansyah, a PhD student, has won 2nd place in the Article Writing Competition organized by the Indigenous Southeast Asian and Ethnic Studies (ISEAES) program at UIN Maulana Hasanuddin Banten.

Held under the theme “Indigenous Communities in Southeast Asia,” the competition attracted participants from various academic backgrounds committed to exploring the diversity and complexities of ethnic and indigenous groups across the region. Rifqi’s article, titled “The Belief System and Practices of Islam Langkah Lama among the Talang Mamak People: Continuity and Change,” focuses on the unique religious expressions of the Talang Mamak, an indigenous group in Indonesia.

The article examines how the Talang Mamak people uphold a local Islamic tradition known as Langkah Lama while navigating the forces of socio-cultural change and state religious frameworks. By highlighting the themes of continuity and transformation, the research brings forward a critical understanding of how indigenous communities negotiate faith and identity in evolving contexts.

This achievement reflects the academic excellence and research quality nurtured within the Faculty of Islamic Studies at UIII. Rifqi’s contribution adds significant value to discussions on Islamic anthropology and indigenous belief systems, reinforcing UIII’s mission to promote inclusive and locally grounded Islamic scholarship with global relevance.

The ISEAES competition provides a platform for emerging scholars to engage with decolonial perspectives and elevate local knowledge traditions within academic discourse. Rifqi’s recognition in this forum underscores the importance of engaging critically with indigenous Muslim communities and their rich, yet often underexplored, religious practices.

As part of UIII’s growing academic presence, this accomplishment demonstrates the Faculty’s commitment to supporting research that bridges classical Islamic thought with contemporary realities. It also reflects the University’s role in fostering scholarly contributions that emphasize cultural sensitivity, originality, and interdisciplinary depth.

The Faculty of Islamic Studies congratulates Rifqi Nurdiansyah on this achievement and looks forward to further scholarly contributions from UIII students and researchers who are dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersections of Islam, culture, and society.