PAI Doctoral Program Holds Public Lecture on Religion Education in Australia

FITK, UIN News Online –Doctoral Program of Islamic Religious Education (S3 PAI) FITK UIN Jakarta holds public lecture titled “Religion Education in Australia” on Tuesday (11/15/2022) at the FITK building, campus I of UIN Jakarta.

Moderated by Irfan Mufid, this event presents Desmond Cahill from RMIT University as sepaker.

Secretary of the PAI Doctoral Program Sapiudin Shidiq in his remarks expressed his gratitude to the resource person who was willing to give a public lecture to PAI doctoral students. Sapiudin also explained that the material to be presented by the speakers was about fundamental differences in religious matters between Indonesia and Australia.

“In Indonesia, Islam is the majority. There are many Islamic schools here under the government. Apart from formal schools, there are also many non-formal Islamic education schools, such as Islamic boarding schools and majelis taklim (non-formal Islamic educational institution),” he said.

On the same occasion, Dean of FITK UIN Jakarta Sururin expressed her appreciation for the holding of this activity. “I warmly welcome this public lecture held by the PAI Doctoral Study Program. Hopefully it will add to the insight of students, especially students of the PAI FITK UIN Jakarta master and doctoral programs,” said Sururin.

Meanwhile, Desmond Cahill in his presentation describes the initial process of Australia becoming a heterogeneous nation.

“After World War II, Australia was visited by many migrants. As a result, Australia has become a country with various racial, national and religious backgrounds,”

He also said that the Australian government separated state affairs from religion, adhering to a moderate model. The government has a facilitative, brokering, monitoring, and protective role. Religious freedom is relative, not an absolute right.

Furthermore, continued Prof. Desmond Cahill, since the 1970s, religious schools in Australia have been supported financially by the government.

Australia has many schools for Muslims. However, there are some challanges, One of them is Islamophobia.

“27% of Australian Muslims have experienced discrimination and violence, especially women. Second, Australians have negative stereotypes towards Muslims, assuming that Muslims support violence,” he said.

The public lecture activities took place interactively. This is evidenced by many question raised to the speaker. (musam/usa)