Yogyakarta, 19 November 2025 — The Muslim Cultural Studies Community (KMIB) of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, organized a Blood Donation event on the 2nd floor of the Poerbatjaraka Building. This initiative is part of KMIB’s ongoing efforts to foster social awareness and enhance the health of the campus community through humanitarian action.

Before donating blood, participants were advised to ensure they were in good physical condition, including getting at least four hours of sleep, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining overall health. These reminders were provided to ensure the donation process could proceed safely and smoothly.

Upon arrival, participants were required to fill out their personal data. They then underwent a health validation process, including blood pressure checks, blood type identification, and other medical examinations. Only participants who met the established health standards were allowed to proceed with the donation.

Through this activity, KMIB contributes to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to improving health and well-being. The spirit of blood donation aligns with efforts to cultivate a health-conscious campus environment, strengthen humanitarian initiatives, and encourage collaboration in helping others. This event reflects the campus community’s concrete commitment to supporting a better quality of life for the wider society.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Alma Syahwalani]

Yogyakarta, November 21, 2025 — Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Anis Matta, Lc., emphasized that the roadmap for Indonesia’s integration with the Islamic world must be built upon the strength of cultural values that define the nation’s civilization. He delivered this material during a National Lecture titled “Indonesia’s Integration Roadmap with the Islamic World: Exploring Cultural Values in Indonesian Foreign Policy” held at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The event was organized through the collaboration of LEM FIB UGM, MADARA UGM, IWDN, and KMIB UGM.

The program opened with a series of remarks highlighting the importance of students and academic spaces in shaping Indonesia’s diplomatic orientation toward the Islamic world. Azky Zidane Qoimul Haq, Chair of LEM FIB UGM, underlined the contributions students can make through intellectual engagement, research, and critical discussion. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. JM. Muslimin, M.A., advisor to IWDN, expressed his appreciation for the forum and hoped that such cross-cultural dialogues would continue as part of efforts to prepare Indonesia’s future diplomatic direction.

The final remarks were delivered by the Dean of FIB UGM, Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si., who reiterated the faculty’s commitment to fostering strategic academic forums that connect humanities scholarship with global geopolitical dynamics, ensuring that students are not only observers of reality but also active contributors in shaping it.

The main session began with Nafesya Amrina Rosada, S.S., serving as moderator and guiding the discussion effectively and inclusively. In his keynote presentation, Vice Minister Muhammad Anis Matta stressed that Indonesia’s integration with the Islamic world must be grounded in the strength of the nation’s cultural values. He argued that Indonesia’s diplomacy cannot rely solely on political and economic cooperation; it must also draw from the country’s contributions in values, identity, and civilization—elements that form Indonesia’s unique global presence.

Following the presentation, the discussion grew increasingly interactive and substantive. The topic of the Israel–Palestine conflict became the central catalyst that intensified the forum’s dynamics. Participants critically examined how Israeli colonialism has transformed over time—from ethnically driven settlement colonization to an ideologically based colonial project anchored in religious legitimacy, security narratives, and nationalism. Systematic acts of genocide and human rights violations have, they argued, pushed Israel into deeper isolation in the eyes of the international community while gradually eroding what was once strong Western support.

The Vice Minister reaffirmed that Indonesia’s stance on Palestine remains firmly rooted in the principle of a two-state solution, with the moral imperative of protecting human life as the top priority before discussing any political options. He also noted that Indonesia’s support has expanded beyond humanitarian diplomacy and now includes readiness for defense-related support if necessary, while still maintaining Indonesia’s independence from global ideological blocs and geopolitical polarization.

The discussion then shifted to the planned development of an Indonesian “Hajj Village” in Makkah. The forum explored how the rising number of Indonesian pilgrims—exceeding two hundred thousand people each year—necessitates integrated facilities capable of providing structured accommodation and community activity centers. The proposed area is designed not only for convenience but also to strengthen the presence and networks of Indonesian communities in the Holy Land. Danantara is projected to serve as the developer and manager to ensure that the area is operated professionally, modernly, and sustainably.

The session grew even richer as the forum turned to cultural diplomacy as a pillar of foreign policy. The Vice Minister underscored that Indonesia possesses a distinctive civilizational identity—one that harmoniously synthesizes religion, democracy, and culture. This identity, he argued, represents a strategic asset with significant potential to contribute to the Islamic world. However, he also highlighted an internal challenge: Indonesians are often not accustomed to promoting their nation’s strengths on the global stage. Thus, there is a pressing need to translate Indonesia’s religious, social, and national concepts into Arabic to communicate them more effectively to Middle Eastern audiences. By doing so, intellectual diplomacy and cultural diplomacy can operate in harmony with political diplomacy.

A warm and appreciative atmosphere concluded the National Lecture, which broadened perspectives on Indonesia’s diplomatic dynamics within the Islamic world while reaffirming the academic community’s role in advancing global development agendas. By emphasizing cultural diplomacy, reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to Palestinian peace, and connecting Indonesia’s religious and national ideas to the international sphere, the event aligns closely with several SDGs—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Author: Achmad Chozinatul Assror
Editor: Candra Solihin

Yogyakarta, November 13, 2025 – The Middle Eastern Studies Program (KBTT) and the Arabic Literature Program at Gadjah Mada University held an inspirational discussion session with Visiting Lecturer Prof. Ayman Shihadeh from SOAS University of London. This activity was held after the International Public Lecture, which was part of the event series, and took place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the KBTT Study Program meeting room. The discussion was attended by several enthusiastic students from the KBTT and Arabic Literature Study Programs at UGM who were eager to learn about Prof. Ayman Shihadeh’s academic experiences and international insights.

During the session, Prof. Ayman shared his experiences and views on teaching, research, and academic development at SOAS, as well as the importance of fostering collaborative relationships between universities worldwide, particularly in the fields of cultural studies and tolerance. He also presented the new MA Islamic Humanities program launched by SOAS in 2025. He gave a detailed presentation on the new study program, which offers several concentrations, including social studies, history, literature, religion, and others. This further increased the enthusiasm of the participants because the study program is very relevant to the fields of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies and Arabic Literature.

In addition, this discussion also provided an opportunity for students to ask questions and share their views on the development of study programs and the potential for international cooperation that can be optimized in the future. Prof. Ayman emphasized the importance of openness in thinking and developing insights in facing global challenges. The event concluded with a group photo session and informal discussions that strengthened the academic relationship between UGM and SOAS and opened up opportunities for further collaboration. This event was an important step in introducing UGM’s Middle Eastern Cultural Studies students to a global perspective and strengthening academic ties with renowned institutions around the world, such as SOAS University of London. The discussion is expected to have a positive impact on academic development and international cooperation in the future.

Author: Jesisca Amanda

Yogyakarta, November 14th, 2025 –  The Ethnography of Maluku and Nusa Tenggara class held by the Department of Anthropology featured a guest lecturer. Danishwara Nathaniel (Mas Dan) is a PhD candidate from the Geneva Graduate Institute, currently doing research on Ternate, Northern Maluku. During the first session of the class, Mas Dan presented part of his research, titled Visual Activism and Maritime Identity in Indonesia’s Extraction Frontier. In this research, Mas Dan highlights the importance of visual media for the activist movement that is going on in Maluku, which historically has always been an important frontier for natural resources. During the colonial era, the resources being fought over were mainly spices; nowadays, minerals and mines are the resources being extracted from Northern Maluku. Mas Dan explained that Ternate is a sacrifice zone: a specific area that is being ‘sacrificed’ to better the lives of people in other parts of the world. In this context, Maluku’s nature is being destroyed by nickel mines, used for lithium batteries to power electrical vehicles.

Mas Dan further explains the importance of visual and digital media to help put the situation in Northern Maluku on a spotlight. In the past, maps were the visual media being used by colonial forces to plan the conquest of Ternate. This topdown, unspecified view makes the location seem static and controllable, void of any living elements that have their own agencies. Now, visual media helps the people of Ternate to voice their resentment towards the extraction project that they are facing. News and articles are being published all throughout the internet by international journalists and NGOs, spreading awareness about the impacts of green energy development. Mas Dan also mentions that visual and digital media can also be used to dampen the work that the activists have put in. This is mainly done by the government or stakeholders in the mining industry, through the launching of counter-narratives and censorship of the news.

In the second session of the class, Mas Dan brought in his friend as well as his interlocutor (through Zoom Meetings) to share more about the Ternate situation to the class. Adlun Fiqri is an activist from Halmahera who has been vocal in the struggle against the mining industry going on in his hometown. Mas Adlun is also a bachelor of anthropology from Universitas Airlangga, and even did an exchange semester here in UGM. Mas Adlun shared his experience of documenting and actively fighting the mining industry, even being captured a couple of times. He also explains the difference that the mines have brought to local communities: people are becoming more wary and less friendly, after facing countless encounters with the generally aggressive agents from the mines. The main point that is being projected through this class by Mas Dan and Mas Adlun is that Northern Maluku is currently a victim of the growing green energy movement. Visual and digital media can serve as loudspeakers to the world that Northern Maluku is not okay, and spread the word about the impacts of industries on local communities.

Author: Amadeus Abhirama Paramanindita

Yogyakarta, October 30, 2025 — The Arabic Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed an academic delegation from the Arabic Language and Literature Study Program (BSA), Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Ampel Surabaya, for a collaborative meeting on institutional partnership development and faculty cooperation in research and publication.

The meeting brought together heads of study programs and lecturers from both study programs. Representatives from UGM included Prof. Dr. Sangidu, M.Hum., Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, S.S., M.Hum., and several other lecturers. Meanwhile, UIN Sunan Ampel was represented by Dr. Abdulloh Ubet, M.Ag. (Head of BSA), Sodikin, M.Pd.I (Secretary of the Study Program), Dr. Mirwan Akhmad Taufiq, M.A. (Head of Department), along with other faculty members and teaching staff.

The meeting opened by Dr. Imam Wicaksono, Lc., M.A., followed by welcoming speech from Prof. Sangidu and from the UIN Sunan Ampel delegation. During the meeting, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in community service and research. She noted that community engagement initiatives at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences now require involvement across various fields to produce two outcomes: one from UGM and one from its collaborating partners.

In addition to discussing research and publication cooperation, the two study programs reviewed strategies for teaching Arabic at the university level. Dr. Zulfa highlighted several innovations at UGM’s Arabic Study Program, such as matriculation classes for beginners, peer-assisted tutorials, and entrepreneurship courses taught by alumni.

From UIN Sunan Ampel, Dr. Abdulloh Ubet explained that most BSA lecturers have backgrounds in Arabic Language Education (PBA), which shapes their research focus toward education. He also shared that UINSA continues to strengthen students’ language proficiency through intensive Arabic and English training sessions starting as early as 6 a.m. Since 2025, the BSA Program has implemented a new curriculum designed to meet industry needs, including an Edupreneur course to equip students with entrepreneurial competencies.

The meeting concluded with documentation and an exchange of souvenirs between the two study programs, symbolizing their commitment to sustained academic cooperation.

This collaborative forum not only expanded academic networking between universities but also aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—notably SDG 4 (Quality Education) through strengthened academic quality and partnership-based learning; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing students’ entrepreneurial skills; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the development of strategic institutional cooperation across higher education institutions in Indonesia.

Author: Muhammad Ardiansyah