In a lively yet intellectually charged auditorium, the Master's Program in Islamic Community Development (PMI) at the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, hosted an event that went beyond a mere public lecture. In collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the event titled “Weaving Indonesia from the Ground Up: Identity, Harmony, and the Future Research Map” served as an oasis amid the often superficial discourse on national identity.

On Monday, September 8, 2025, the Convention Hall of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta buzzed with students, lecturers, and researchers eager for fresh ideas. They gathered not to debate politics, but to explore how identity and social harmony could be nurtured through grounded, practical research. Speakers from diverse backgrounds offered complementary perspectives.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, M.Si., Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, opened with a firm message. He stressed that diversity is not merely a sociological fact but a tremendous potential for building a just and sustainable nation—provided it is managed well. "Failure to nurture diversity and the practice of corruption are the two things that bring ruin to a nation. If we can manage these two, Indonesia can become a great nation," he said, urging academics to produce relevant research that addresses real societal challenges.

More than just theory, grounded research was exemplified by Prof. Dr. Koeswinarno, a BRIN researcher. With a light storytelling style, he spoke about the saprahan tradition in Pontianak—a communal meal on a spread mat rich with the meaning of togetherness. "Cross-cultural encounters in Pontianak highlight two dominant ethnic groups, Malay and Dayak, alongside Javanese and Chinese. This composition greatly shapes social reality there," he explained. He viewed simple practices like saprahan as social glue that prevents ethnic conflict vulnerability in Pontianak—a clear example of how local wisdom can be a real solution for maintaining harmony.

Meanwhile, Dr.Hijrian Angga Prihantoro, a lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia and Law at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, enriched the discussion by addressing identity and harmony within an Islamic framework. He emphasized the need for Islamic community development that produces inclusive narratives. According to him, interpretations of the Qur'an and Sunnah are often polarized, yet local traditions can serve as bridges. He cited his research on the Nyadranan tradition in Temanggung—an Islamic ritual conducted jointly by people of different faiths. "Serious research networked with institutions like BRIN is key to preserving diversity while strengthening national identity," he asserted, showing how research can actively foster tolerance.

This public lecture was not just a platform for sharing knowledge but a call to young academics to step out of the ivory tower. It underscored that research, culture, and social harmony are inseparable. The future research map, according to the speakers, must go beyond data—it must become a "medicine" that heals social wounds, bridges differences, and reweaves Indonesia from its deepest foundation: its people.

As part of this commitment, the Head of the S2 PMI Program, Prof. Dr. Hj. Sriharini, S.Ag.,M.Si., stated that the event laid a crucial foundation for her students. "I hope this event will bring great benefits, including broadening academic horizons, boosting motivation, and expanding networking with external parties," she said.

Sriharini also affirmed that this public lecture was part of the program’s effort to prepare students as agents of change capable of driving Islamic community development. "To implement this goal, we have several follow-up plans, including field lectures, community service, collaborative research, and scientific publications," she added. (Fes-Kh)