UIN Jakarta and Boston University Showcase Indonesia’s Religious Pluralism in Joint Documentary Series
FDIKOM Theater, UIN Online News – In a powerful blend of cinema and social advocacy, the Center for Religious Harmony (PKUB) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, in partnership with UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, hosted the "Road to INSPIRE 2026" on Tuesday (5/12). The event featured a special screening of the Indonesian Pluralities Series, a collaborative documentary project involving CRCS UGM, the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, and WatchdoC, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation in New York.
The screening was attended by top officials, including the Head of PKUB, Dr. Mohd. Adiq Abdusulman, and Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Ali Munhanif. Beyond the screening, the Faculty of Communication Sciences (FDIKOM) officially signed a strategic partnership with PKUB to strengthen media-based religious literacy.
Cinema as a Tool for Unity
The Indonesian Pluralities Series is not merely a film project; it is a comprehensive multimedia initiative designed for educators, journalists, and policy analysts. Since 2019, the project has produced five acclaimed documentaries including Beta Mau Jumpa and Unfinished Indonesia which explore the rich promises and ongoing challenges of civic co-existence in contemporary Indonesia.
The film screened at the event, Seeking Equality in Diversity, serves as a poignant 6th installment that summarizes the series’ journey. It moves beyond "romanticizing" diversity, offering a deep interpretation of how society responds to ethnic and religious plurality in a "hopeful yet unfinished" Indonesia.
A Prelude to INSPIRE 2026: Addressing the Climate Crisis
Dr. Mohd. Adiq Abdusulman emphasized that this event serves as a strategic "roadshow" leading up to the main summit: the International Symposium for Peace, Integrity, and Responsive on Eco-Theology (INSPIRE 2026), scheduled for September 9–11, 2026.
"INSPIRE 2026 is a global movement bringing together religious leaders and world-class experts with one vital mission: finding spiritual and moral solutions to the dual crises of climate change and humanity," Dr. Adiq explained.
Reflecting on his recent diplomatic mission to Austria with the Rector of UIN Jakarta, Dr. Adiq shared how Indonesia's "culture of harmony" has become a global talking point. "In Vienna, they called us 'Mister Harmony' from Indonesia. The world is eager to learn from our model of religious peace," he added.
Indonesia’s Unique Social Fabric
Prof. Ali Munhanif noted that Indonesia stands alone as a nation where religious harmony grows from internal community consciousness rather than state coercion.
"While many nations founded in the same era fractured due to religious or ideological divides—like the partitions in South Asia—Indonesia has thrived through dialogue. These films prove that our pluralism is a valuable asset for world peace," Prof. Munhanif asserted.
Academic and Cultural Synergy
Prof. Gun Gun Heryanto, Dean of FDIKOM and a Professor of Political Communication, praised the use of documentary film as a strategic medium to reach the younger generation, who spend upwards of eight hours a day in the digital world. He hopes this collaboration will transform the campus into a "global laboratory" for tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue.
The partnership finalized at the event will pave the way for joint research, media literacy programs, and community outreach, ensuring that the spirit of the Indonesian Pluralities Series continues to inspire policy and practice long after the credits roll.
(Nosa Idea/Zaenal M./Arifin Ilham/Photos: Tiara Abdhie)