The theme selected by the International Conference on Islamic Studies and Social Sciences (ICONISSS) 2021, to me, is indeed both important and interesting: “Discovering New Landscape of Islamic Studies and Social Sciences in The Digital Age”, for at least three reasons.
Fast changing context
Firstly, the changing context, or to be precise, the fast-changing context. We are challenged to make sense the rapid changes in our surroundings. The advance of information technologies, for example, has affected almost every aspects of our life. New norms (new ways of doing business, learning, making social relation, accessing various services, to name a few) are invented, designed, practiced, routinized, and eventually they become embedded in our daily life.
Some of us embrace these new norms wholeheartedly and happily, while some others show denialism to various extent. The former group is actively engaged and make the norms become initialized, while the latter group often see the changes as threats to the well-established social norms.
At the end, this may create tension to some extent. But, through the eyes of academics, I am sure that the tension can be seen as positive stimulation for further inquiries and continuously provoke our thoughts.
We also need to pay more attention to other global issues, such as climate change, energy shortage, deforestation, inequality, corruption, unemployment, pollution, and so on.
Assumption and reality incongruence
Secondly, in some cases, the existing concepts or theories are no longer able to equip us with analytical lenses to better comprehend the contemporary social phenomena. We understand that many concepts are introduced based on previous past time observation and experiences. The underlying philosophical assumptions behind the existing concepts or theories may no longer fit with nowadays’ realities. Hence, we need to re-interpret them or even complement them with new vocabularies, new concepts, or even new theories.
Context specificities may also demand indigenous perspective to make sense or grasp the meaning of social phenomena as socially constructed realities. This is a challenge for social sciences to enable us to better comprehend the contemporary world.
At the same time, social sciences will also inspire us and provide insights in designing possible social intervention programs that lead to significant progression.
Contextualised Islamic teachings
Thirdly, when it comes to Islamic studies, there is no different. Islamic scholars need to continuously contextualize the Islamic teachings and values. We may easily agree that as the religion (al-din) have already reached the final form, as mentioned by Allah in the Holy Qur’an, surah Al-Ma’idah verse 3. Allah said “Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way.”
If we believe that Al-Qur’an, and hence Islam, is compatible with every time and place, then the challenge is how to operationalize the Islamic norms in various contexts. Since its early time, Islamic teachings have been accepted by people from various backgrounds. Today, in the modern time, we witness that they are accepted and practiced by people from various countries and continents throughout the world.
The character of Islamic teachings which are open for other progressive ideas makes them compatible with human perennial values, such as honesty and justice. But today’s challenges make us even harder to maintain the relevance of Islamic teachings in the modern society with all its progressions.
Muslim, in general, and Muslim scholars, in particular, owe collective homework to do to ensure that Islamic teachings are becoming part of the solution and not the problems. Otherwise, one may continuously ask the relevance of Islamic teachings.
Hence, today, I am more than happy to open this conference that attracts scholars from various backgrounds to discuss important aspects of social sciences and Islamic studies and their connection with the contemporary issues.
I am sure that various perspectives that will be shared by the speakers and the participants in this conference will provide meaningful insights and stimulate further discussion in the area of concern: the relevance of Islamic studies and social sciences in the digital age.
Opening remarks at the International Conference on Islamic Studies and Social Sciences (ICONISSS) 2021 held by the Faculty of Islamic Studies Universitas Islam Indonesia, 18 November 2021.
Industri Halal Ditopang Sektor Makanan, Farmasi, dan Keuangan
Pusat Pengkajian dan Pengembangan Ekonomi Islam (P3EI) Fakultas Bisnis dan Ekonomika UII mengadakan diskusi bertajuk “Peran UMKM dan Edukasi Mewujudkan Ekosistem Halal Lifestyle”. Kegiatan yang berlangsung pada pada Jum’at (26/11) ini merupakan kolaborasi P3EI bersama Ikatan Ahli Ekonomi Islam (IAEI) cabang Yogyakarta dan Masyarakat Ekonomi Syariah (MES) Yogyakarta.
Dr. Hj. Marissa Grace Haque Fawzi S.H., M.Hum., M.B.A., M.H., M.Si. salah satu pembicara, mendefinisikan halal sebagai hal yang diperbolehkan dalam umat Islam. Konsep halal merupakan hal yang kompleks sehingga mengharuskan sinergi dan kerja kolektif bersama.
Read more
Menjaga Marwah dan Martabat Hakim
Fakultas Hukum Universitas Islam Indonesia (FH UII) bekerjasama dengan Komisi Yudisial Republik Indonesia (KY RI) menyelenggarakan Klinik Etik dan Advokasi pencegahan Perbuatan Merendahkan Kehormatan dan Keluhuran Martabat Hakim (PMKH). Program ini, merupakan program kerjasama tahunan KY dengan berbagai perguruan tinggi di Indonesia. Tahun ini, terpilih 20 orang mahasiswa FH UII dari angkatan 2018, 2019, dan 2020 yang turut mengikuti pelatihan ini. Sebagai puncak dari acara pelatihannya, pada Senin (22/11) FH UII dan KY menyelenggarakan sebuah webinar “Pencegahan PMKH”.
Read more
UII Ajak Kampus Mitra Bersinergi Implementasikan Kampus Merdeka
Direktorat Kemitraan/Kantor Urusan Internasional Universitas Islam Indonesia (KUI UII) menyelenggarakan Focus Group Discussion (FGD) dalam rangka menggali potensi peluang kerja sama antar perguruan tinggi dalam mengimplementasikan Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM). FGD yang dilaksanakan secara daring pada Selasa, (23/11) tersebut turut mengundang 25 perguruan tinggi mitra akademik UII.
Dr. Drs. Imam Djati Widodo, M.Eng.Sc. selaku Wakil Rektor Bidang Pengembangan Akademik & Riset UII pada sambutannya mengatakan munculnya kebijakan pemerintah mengenai Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) perlu banyak hal yang bisa didiskusikan bersama. “Tentunya setiap universitas memiliki kondisi yang berbeda dalam menyikapi MBKM ini. Karena ini amanah dari UU, maka kita sebagai penyelenggara pendidikan tingkat universitas perlu mengikuti kebijakan walau pada akhirnya perlu mengubah banyak hal”, sebutnya.
Read more
RELO Kedutaan Besar Amerika Serikat Perkuat Kerja Sama dengan UII
Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) senantiasa berupaya memperluas jejaring kerja sama dengan berbagai pihak. Kerja sama antara universitas dan lembaga dinilai penting dilakukan untuk mengoptimalkan potensi yang ada. Sebagaimana yang tergambar dalam kunjungan Regional English Language Office (RELO), Public Affairs, Kedutaan Besar Amerika Serikat Jakarta ke kampus Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) pada Selasa (23/11). Kunjungan ini dilangsungkan di Ruang Sidang Datar, Gedung Kuliah Umum Prof. Dr. Sardjito UII. Kedua pihak bertatap muka dalam kunjungan luring setelah menjalin kerja sama selama beberapa tahun.
Read more
Menyelamatkan Bumi dari Dampak Perubahan Iklim
Isu lingkungan menjadi agenda dunia dalam upaya penyelamatan manusia dan planet bumi dari dampak perubahan iklim. Salah satu upaya nyata adalah menerapkan konsep pembangunan berkelanjutan seperti digariskan dalam Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Menyikapi hal ini, Lembaga Eksekutif Mahasiswa (LEM) FMIPA Universitas Islam Indonesia menyelenggarakan webinar SDGs dengan mengangkat tema “”Membangkitkan Kesadaran Generasi Muda terhadap Isu Lingkungan Sebagai Perwujudan SDGs 2030″ pada Minggu (21/11).
Read more
Kontroversi Tes PCR: Bisnis atau Krisis
Tes PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) sebagai syarat wajib perjalanan hingga saat ini masih menjadi perbincangan hangat. Perubahan biaya tes sendiri juga telah memunculkan presepsi yang beragam di masyarakat, seperti anggapan adanya yang memanfaatkannya. Tes PCR sejatinya diberlakukan sebagai upaya menjaga masyarakat Indonesia dari penularan virus Covid-19.
Read more
Membangun Koneksi Karir Melalui Digital Networking
Direktorat Pengembangan Karier dan Alumni (DPKA) Universitas Islam Indonesia menggelar program Career Training yang dilaksanakan secara virtual pada Sabtu (20/11). Setelah mendapatkan materi dasar mengenai “Build Professional Network” pada bulan sebelumnya, mahasiswa UII yang hadir pada kesempatan kali ini dibekali dengan materi lanjutan mengenai cara mengoptimalkan jejaring digital lewat sosial media.
Dian Ayu Amalia, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psikolog sebagai pemateri pertama menjelaskan mengapa membangun jejaring atau networking penting dalam pengembangan karir. “Networking itu tentang membangun hubungan mutualisme jangka panjang dengan orang yang kamu temui. Saat kamu memutuskan berinvestasi pada sebuah network baik di ranah profesional maupun pribadi, itu bisa membayar dividen sepanjang karir yang kalian jalani”, terang Dian.
Read more
Maju Mundur Harga PCR di Indonesia
Pusat Studi Hukum Fakultas Hukum Universitas Islam Indonesia (PSH FH UII) menyelenggarakan diskusi “Maju Mundur Kebijakan Harga PCR” pada Sabtu (20/11). Diskusi ini diselenggarakan dalam rangka menjawab problematika harga tes PCR di Indonesia, dengan menghadirkan para pembicara di antaranya, dr. Fery Rahman, M.KM. (Wasekjen PB IDI), Bayu Satria Wiratama, Ph.D. (Koordinator Tim Medis Kawal Covid-19), Dr. Siti Anisah, S.H., M.H. (Dosen Fakultas Hukum UII), dan Dr. Fadhil Hasan (Ekonom Senior Institutes for Development of Economics and Finance).
Read more
Melejitkan Potensi UMKM Lewat Digitalisasi
Digitalisasi UMKM perlu terus diperkuat untuk mendukung akselerasi pengembangannya. Pasalnya, digitalisasi menjadi pintu masuk meningkatkan akses pasar, tidak hanya pasar lokal melainkan juga pasar global. Kemajuan teknologi ini dapat membantu UMKM dalam membangun value dari usaha yang sedang dirintis. Dengan teknologi yang ada saat ini juga dapat meningkatkan pelayanan yang lebih baik. Hal inilah yang dapat membuat seseorang mau menjadi pelanggan.
Seperti disampaikan Saiful Islam (Praktisi Inbound Marketing Co-founder Education Platform for SME) pada Webinar Nasional “Tahapan Transformasi Digital pada UKM” yang digelar FBE UII pada Sabtu (20/11).
Read more
Coping with Change
The theme selected by the International Conference on Islamic Studies and Social Sciences (ICONISSS) 2021, to me, is indeed both important and interesting: “Discovering New Landscape of Islamic Studies and Social Sciences in The Digital Age”, for at least three reasons.
Fast changing context
Firstly, the changing context, or to be precise, the fast-changing context. We are challenged to make sense the rapid changes in our surroundings. The advance of information technologies, for example, has affected almost every aspects of our life. New norms (new ways of doing business, learning, making social relation, accessing various services, to name a few) are invented, designed, practiced, routinized, and eventually they become embedded in our daily life.
Some of us embrace these new norms wholeheartedly and happily, while some others show denialism to various extent. The former group is actively engaged and make the norms become initialized, while the latter group often see the changes as threats to the well-established social norms.
At the end, this may create tension to some extent. But, through the eyes of academics, I am sure that the tension can be seen as positive stimulation for further inquiries and continuously provoke our thoughts.
We also need to pay more attention to other global issues, such as climate change, energy shortage, deforestation, inequality, corruption, unemployment, pollution, and so on.
Assumption and reality incongruence
Secondly, in some cases, the existing concepts or theories are no longer able to equip us with analytical lenses to better comprehend the contemporary social phenomena. We understand that many concepts are introduced based on previous past time observation and experiences. The underlying philosophical assumptions behind the existing concepts or theories may no longer fit with nowadays’ realities. Hence, we need to re-interpret them or even complement them with new vocabularies, new concepts, or even new theories.
Context specificities may also demand indigenous perspective to make sense or grasp the meaning of social phenomena as socially constructed realities. This is a challenge for social sciences to enable us to better comprehend the contemporary world.
At the same time, social sciences will also inspire us and provide insights in designing possible social intervention programs that lead to significant progression.
Contextualised Islamic teachings
Thirdly, when it comes to Islamic studies, there is no different. Islamic scholars need to continuously contextualize the Islamic teachings and values. We may easily agree that as the religion (al-din) have already reached the final form, as mentioned by Allah in the Holy Qur’an, surah Al-Ma’idah verse 3. Allah said “Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way.”
If we believe that Al-Qur’an, and hence Islam, is compatible with every time and place, then the challenge is how to operationalize the Islamic norms in various contexts. Since its early time, Islamic teachings have been accepted by people from various backgrounds. Today, in the modern time, we witness that they are accepted and practiced by people from various countries and continents throughout the world.
The character of Islamic teachings which are open for other progressive ideas makes them compatible with human perennial values, such as honesty and justice. But today’s challenges make us even harder to maintain the relevance of Islamic teachings in the modern society with all its progressions.
Muslim, in general, and Muslim scholars, in particular, owe collective homework to do to ensure that Islamic teachings are becoming part of the solution and not the problems. Otherwise, one may continuously ask the relevance of Islamic teachings.
Hence, today, I am more than happy to open this conference that attracts scholars from various backgrounds to discuss important aspects of social sciences and Islamic studies and their connection with the contemporary issues.
I am sure that various perspectives that will be shared by the speakers and the participants in this conference will provide meaningful insights and stimulate further discussion in the area of concern: the relevance of Islamic studies and social sciences in the digital age.
Opening remarks at the International Conference on Islamic Studies and Social Sciences (ICONISSS) 2021 held by the Faculty of Islamic Studies Universitas Islam Indonesia, 18 November 2021.