Yogyakarta, September 23, 2026 — The Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta held a workshop focused on enhancing the quality and international recognition of its faculty members through a "Visiting Lecture" series themed "Indonesia and Algeria: Experiences in Islamic Studies and Humanitarian Discourse." The event, which took place in the FUPI meeting room on the second floor of the Prof. Dr. H. Simuh Building, featured three professors from Algeria and was attended by faculty members, researchers, and students from within the faculty.

The three professors serving as speakers were Prof. Dr. Mohamed Djaradi from the Department of Sharia at the University of Adrar; Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Hamdi from the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Adrar; and Prof. Dr. Mahi Gandouz from the Department of Islamic Sciences at the University of Tlemcen. Their visit was part of FUPI’s "Visiting Professor" program, which ran from September 21–23, 2026.

For the Master’s Program in Quranic Studies (Magister Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir/S2 IAT), this event was highly relevant for broadening academic perspectives within Islamic studies—specifically in understanding the interplay between religious texts, historical contexts, the dynamics of Islamic thought, and contemporary humanitarian issues. This cross-national academic engagement also provided students with an opportunity to gain insight into Islamic intellectual traditions beyond Indonesia.

The event commenced with a keynote speech by the Dean of FUPI, Prof. Dr. Robby Habiba Abror, S.Ag., M.Hum. In his remarks, he framed this activity as part of an effort to enhance the academic quality of faculty members while simultaneously expanding international scholarly networks. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Ibrahim Djarfour and Dr. Uki Sukiman.

The theme focusing on Indonesia and Algeria was chosen because both nations possess rich Islamic intellectual traditions, which have nonetheless evolved within distinct historical, cultural, and socio-political contexts. Indonesia is home to the Islam Nusantara (Archipelagic Islam) tradition, deeply intertwined with the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) network and a diverse array of local cultures. Algeria, meanwhile, holds a Maghrebian scholarly heritage that has developed through the long history of North Africa and the experience of struggling against colonialism.

These differing backgrounds create opportunities for comparative analysis and the enrichment of Islamic studies. From the perspective of tafsir (Quranic exegesis) studies, historical and cultural contexts are essential for understanding the evolution of religious thought and how Islamic intellectual traditions have responded to the societal challenges of their respective eras.

The Visiting Lecture discussion covered the development of Islamic studies and intellectual traditions in both Indonesia and Algeria, the dynamics of contemporary Islamic thought, and the contributions of Islam toward building a discourse on humanity. The forum also explored the role of ulama (Islamic scholars) and Islamic institutions in fostering peace, justice, solidarity, and human dignity.

The diverse academic backgrounds of the speakers provided complementary perspectives. Prof. Mohamed Djaradi offered an approach rooted in sharia studies; Prof. Ahmed El-Hamdi brought a historical and archaeological perspective; and Prof. Mahi Gandouz contributed insights from the broader field of Islamic sciences. This interdisciplinary blend allowed for the examination of Islamic studies through normative, historical, and institutional lenses.

For master’s students in the Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir (Quranic Studies and Exegesis) program, this cross-disciplinary dialogue serves to deepen their understanding that the study of the Quran and tafsir cannot be separated from the evolution of intellectual history, the social environment, and the challenges facing humanity. The interaction between the scholarly traditions of Indonesia and Algeria also creates opportunities to develop a comparative perspective in the study of tafsir (Quranic exegesis) and Islamic thought.

Beyond serving as a space for the exchange of ideas, this initiative is aimed at strengthening academic collaboration. Faculty members and students utilized the discussion sessions to explore academic experiences in Algeria—covering areas such as curriculum development, research traditions, and potential inter-institutional cooperation. The Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) has also opened doors for follow-up initiatives, including joint research, collaborative publications, faculty and student exchanges, and the organization of international scholarly events.

Hosting this event underscores the importance of internationalizing Islamic higher education through direct engagement with academics from various countries. For the Master’s Program in Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir (IAT) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, strengthening such networks has the potential to foster research and learning that are more open to the diversity of Islamic intellectual traditions.

Through this "Visiting Lecture" program, FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is expanding the scope for international academic dialogue while promoting the development of interdisciplinary Islamic studies. It is hoped that the Master’s Program in IAT will continue to leverage such forums to enrich the study of tafsir, bolster a culture of research, and enhance academic contributions toward a deeper understanding of the field.