Walking together begins with an encounter. A meeting enriched with dialogue, shared concerns, and reflections on how individuals interpret their humanitarian calling not only warms the heart but also inspires each person to embrace the beauty of life in diversity.
Around 60 participants—including faculty members from the Faculty of Da’wah and Science & Technology at the State Islamic University Prof KH Saifuddin Zuhri (UIN SAIZU) and members of the Catholic community in Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia—attended an academic colloquium held on 18 March at UIN SAIZU.
Dr Muskinul Fuad, dean of the faculty of Da’wah and Science & Technology, opened the discussion with an observation of the growing engagement in interreligious dialogue on social media.
“There is a new trend on social media where interfaith dialogue is becoming more open. Religious figures—including pastors, monks, and kyais—are engaging more fluidly, though sometimes with a hint of satire,” he remarked.
This cultural shift, he noted, presents a challenge to intellectuals: to be more inclusive, open-minded, and capable of collaborating in the spirit of humanity. With the rise of social media, religious discussions have become more frequent and unrestricted.
Keynote speaker Fr Greg Soetomo SJ, coordinator for Dialogue with Islam of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP), echoed this sentiment, emphasising that while religion exists within the complexity and vibrancy of society, a hallmark of a mature and developed community is its religious and intellectual tolerance.
One way to foster such maturity, he suggested, is by initiating programmes that bring together communities of different faiths—allowing them to meet, share experiences and concerns, and even take collective action.
Fr Soetomo shared his experience accompanying 21 participants during JCAP’s Asia Pacific Theological Encounter Program (APTEP) held last year from 4 to 24 June. Participants from nine countries—Angola, Brazil, Burundi, the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, China, and Vietnam—took part in live-in programmes with Muslim communities in Jakarta, Salatiga, and Yogyakarta. Comprised of laypeople, nuns, seminarians, and Catholic priests, the participants engaged in interfaith dialogues with local Muslim communities, fostering dialogue through daily life, social initiatives, religious experiences, and theological discussions. Their collective insights and reflections were later compiled into the book “Toward a Theology of Dialogue with Islam,” published in October 2024.
Drawing on insights from the book, Fr Soetomo facilitated an afternoon discussion that continued until the breaking of the fast. Ory Wulandari, a member of the Fatayat NU women’s group, emphasised that interfaith dialogue begins with encounters.
“Encounters are essential,” she explained. “As a teenager, I attended a Catholic school. I memorised the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and hymns from the Catholic Madah Bakti, and I found them beautiful. I believe all religions teach beauty. At the same time, I was diligent in reciting the Quran and remain a Muslim to this day. Learning about other religions has, in fact, strengthened my faith. Similarly, Pastor Greg’s knowledge of Islam has deepened his Catholic faith.” Ory, who actively participates in both the Gusdurian Banyumas community and the Banyumas Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB), highlighted how interfaith encounters enrich spiritual understanding.
The two-hour discussion delved into various aspects of Islam and Catholicism. A lecturer from UIN raised questions about the vow of celibacy and the duration of the priesthood. The conversation also explored personal experiences of studying different faiths and how such encounters can deepen one’s commitment to their own religion. Concerns about national issues also emerged, particularly regarding the paradox of Indonesia—a country known for its religiosity yet grappling with rampant corruption.
The dialogue concluded with an invitation from Agus Wahyudi of the Interfaith and Belief Relations Working Team at Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Purwokerto, to collaborate on humanitarian initiatives. His call to action resonated with the aspirations expressed earlier by Dr Fuad.
“With Father Greg’s extensive network, opportunities for collaboration can open up, especially as UIN SAIZU is actively pursuing internationalisation through student and faculty exchange programs. As intellectuals and educators, we are eager to engage in interfaith initiatives. While we remain firmly rooted in our respective beliefs, we can still work together in the service of humanity,” stated Dr Fuad.
Indeed, encounters, interfaith dialogue, and collaborative action are all part of a shared human calling. Religion should not serve as a barrier but as a bridge, uniting people in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.
Eulalia Adventi Kesiyatni, from Indonesia, is an educator and advocate for Catholic Church engagement in social affairs.