The Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), in partnership with the Turkey-based Institute Social, organized an international conference titled “Decolonizing Social Sciences and Humanities: Islamic and Non-Western Perspectives” from April 29–30, 2025. The conference sought to challenge the dominance of Western academic frameworks by offering a platform for Islamic and non-Western perspectives in the discourse on knowledge creation.
Over the course of two days, the event attracted participants from 23 countries spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. A total of 411 abstract submissions were received, with only 48 selected to be presented across 12 thematic sessions. The conference featured nine distinguished speakers, including Anna M. Gade, Farish A. Noor, Joseph E.B. Lumbard, Komaruddin Hidayat, Lena Salaymeh, Recep Şentürk, Syed Farid Alatas, Salman Sayyid, and Vedi R. Hadiz.
Intellectual Independence Beyond the West
The conference provided a critical platform for scholars, students, and thinkers to reflect on the deeply embedded Eurocentrism within academic institutions. Dr. İpek Coşkun Armağan, General Coordinator of Institute Social, emphasized the importance of authenticity in academic methodologies:
“We need authentic ideas and methods that reflect our values and beliefs. Without that, social sciences won’t work for our societies. The current dominance of Eurocentric frameworks interrupts our lens—we need to find our own way.”
Dr. İpek further underlined the importance of institutional support in building sustainable alternatives:
“We should institutionalize the idea of decolonization. Universities must play a central role by offering programs that nurture independent thinking, especially for graduate students. To erase the long-standing effects of colonization, strong academic structures are essential.”
A Shared Mission for Muslim Scholars
Dr. Recep Şentürk, one of the featured speakers, highlighted the critical role Muslim scholars must play in reclaiming intellectual freedom:
“Without intellectual independence, Muslim scholars cannot fulfill their role. If we rely on theories and methods that degrade and exclude us, we are complicit in our own colonization.”
Şentürk proposed an alternative academic model rooted in Islamic tradition:
“We must adopt a multiplex perspective—one that embraces the richness of multiple knowledge systems. By reviving our traditions, we can offer solutions not only for ourselves but for humanity at large.”
Bridging Disciplines and Expanding Horizons
Ehsan Shahwahid, a participant from Leeds University, UK, found the conference insightful and transformative:
“It was very interesting. I learned many new things, especially about the intersection of decolonization and Islamic studies. It opened up new insights for Muslim scholars.”
As a growing initiative, the conference also reflects the evolving vision of the Faculty of Islamic Studies. Prof. Yanwar Pribadi, Dean of the Faculty, shared:
“Our goal is to bring together diverse perspectives to explore new paradigms in colonial and postcolonial studies. We’ve built on our past themes—from dissenting Islamic studies to artificial intelligence—and now move toward rethinking social sciences and humanities.”
He noted that the conference serves a larger academic and institutional purpose:
“We aim to shift the center of discourse in Islamic studies, challenging Western and even Middle Eastern academic dominance. We want to reposition Southeast Asia—and UIII in particular—as a leading voice.”
Looking Ahead: Toward Future Discourses
As for what lies ahead, the faculty has its eyes set on continuity and progress. Prof. Yanwar hinted at possible themes for the fifth edition in 2026:
“We might explore themes such as citizenship in the Global South or environmental issues in the Muslim world. Our vision is to move beyond both classical and Western models—toward something distinct, challenging, and innovative.”
By hosting this landmark conference, UIII has not only contributed to global academic discourse but has also positioned itself as a crucial hub for decolonial thought. As the conversations continue, one thing is clear: the journey toward academic independence and alternative knowledge systems is gaining momentum—and UIII is helping lead the way.