YOGYAKARTA — The Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta hosted an "International Exposure" event titled “Islamic Law of War: Reading on Qur’anic Texts in Contemporary Context” on Friday, October 23, 2026. Held from 09:00 to 10:30 WIB in the Dean’s Office meeting room on the second floor of the FUPI building, the event featured Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody, a Legal Adviser on Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The event provided an opportunity for the academic community—including postgraduate students—to broaden their understanding of the relationship between the interpretation of Qur’anic texts, Islamic law, and contemporary humanitarian issues. For the Master’s Program in Qur’anic Studies (S2 IAT), the theme is highly relevant to the development of tafsir (exegesis) studies, which emphasize not only the understanding of texts but also the context in which Qur’anic values ​​are applied to address global challenges.

In his presentation, Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody explored the connection between Islamic legal perspectives on warfare (fiqh al-jihād and siyar) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The discussion highlighted the importance of a dialogue between the Islamic legal tradition and the principles of humanitarian protection during armed conflicts.

As an independent international humanitarian organization, the ICRC focuses on the protection of life, respect for human dignity, and the regulation of the conduct of war. These principles share common ground with the ethical and legal values ​​found within the Islamic legal tradition.

A key aspect discussed was the relevance of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah (the objectives of Islamic law)—specifically the principle of ḥifẓ al-nafs, or the preservation of life—in understanding humanitarian issues within conflict-affected regions. This perspective opens a space to examine how the values ​​of the Quran and the principles of Islamic law can engage in a dialogue with the framework of international law, particularly in efforts to protect civilians.

For students in the Master’s program in Quranic Studies and Exegesis (IAT), this discussion offers a vital perspective on the relationship between the Quranic text and the socio-historical context surrounding its application. Verses concerning war, peace, the protection of life, and human relations require an interpretive approach that considers context, ethical principles, and the evolution of contemporary humanitarian issues.

The event was conducted interactively, involving faculty leadership, lecturers, and student representatives from both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The discussion covered the dynamics of contemporary laws of war, the challenges of enforcing humanitarian law within the Muslim world, and the role of scholars in the field of Ushuluddin (Islamic foundational studies) in fostering an inclusive and humanistic understanding of Islam.

The leadership of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) noted that this "International Exposure" initiative is part of the faculty’s strategic agenda to strengthen the global research capacity of both students and faculty. It is envisioned that the study of religion, tafsir (exegesis), hadith, and Islamic philosophy will be able to engage with a wide range of global issues, including international humanitarian law.

For the Master’s program in IAT at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this forum reinforces the importance of a contextual and interdisciplinary approach to the study of tafsir. The study of the Quran can be advanced through dialogue with legal studies, history, and the humanities—all while remaining firmly rooted in the Quranic text and the Islamic scholarly tradition.

Through this initiative, the Master’s program in IAT is expected to further encourage research in tafsir that is responsive to contemporary challenges—specifically issues surrounding peace, conflict, the protection of civilians, and respect for human dignity. Furthermore, these academic engagements with international experts create opportunities to strengthen scholarly networks and foster future research collaborations. This International Exposure activity is part of an effort by FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta to expand international academic dialogue while strengthening the contribution of Islamic studies toward addressing global humanitarian challenges.

Source: FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga Gelar International Exposure, Hadirkan Penasihat Hukum ICRC Geneva Dr. Ahmed Al-Dawoody.