ASIATODAY.ID, SURABAYA — Indonesia is increasingly viewed as a rising intellectual hub for the Muslim world. This message was strongly delivered by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar during the International Conference at Sunan Ampel State Islamic University (UINSA) Surabaya on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Addressing thousands of participants, the Minister underscored a pivotal shift: Indonesia must evolve from being a consumer of Islamic thought to becoming a global producer of ideas.
This momentum, he said, is fueled by heightened international attention following President Prabowo Subianto’s widely circulated statements on the Gaza peace effort — remarks that have gained traction across many Muslim-majority countries.
“Our President has become a focal point of global attention. His declaration was followed up by almost all Muslim nations. Therefore, we cannot remain passive consumers of ideas coming from the Middle East — we must become a generator of thought and inspiration,” he said.
Indonesia Poised to Lead a New Muslim Intellectual Movement
Minister Nasaruddin stressed the importance of preparing a conceptual roadmap to support President Prabowo’s emerging global narrative.
“To become a producer of thought in the way President Prabowo envisions, we must provide academic, conceptual, and operational frameworks. The President cannot detail everything — that is where we must step in,” he noted.
He described President Prabowo’s leadership as “firm, conceptual, and measured”, contrasting it with past figures in the Muslim world who were vocal but lacked structured ideas.
This, he argued, positions Indonesia to advance as a modern, moderate, and globally relevant reference point for Islamic civilization.
“The Ministry of Religious Affairs will ensure that Indonesia develops these ideas before other countries claim them. We must fill these strategic gaps so that Indonesia’s leadership is firmly rooted in intellectual legitimacy,” he said.
UINSA Conference Highlights Indonesia’s Role as a Solution for Global Challenges
The international conference carried the ambitious theme: “Why Indonesia as a New Center of Muslim Civilization? Reassessing the Role of Indonesian Islam in Shaping the World Future in a Post-War Era.”
Key global voices, including Professor Greg Barton of Deakin University, Australia, took part in the forum.
UINSA Rector Akhmad Muzakki emphasized that the conference marked an important step in promoting Indonesia’s intellectual diplomacy.
“We are presenting a major proposal: positioning Indonesian Islam as a solution to today’s global challenges,” he said.
More than 3,000 participants attended the event, including representatives of 10 foreign governments, 192 leaders of Islamic higher education institutions, and hundreds of international students.
The conference concluded with the Surabaya Declaration for Global Peace and Harmony, symbolically read alongside international student delegates.
Indonesia’s Religious Diplomacy Gains Global Momentum
The event was also attended by key figures such as MUI Chairman Anwar Iskandar, U.S. Consul General Luther Gove, Chinese Consul General Tan Dayou, Honorary Consul of Morocco Jamal Ghozi, and senior officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The message from Surabaya was clear: Indonesia is entering a new era as a global reference for Islamic thought — not merely following global currents, but shaping them.
With President Prabowo’s assertive diplomatic posture and Indonesia’s deeply rooted tradition of moderate Islam, the country is positioning itself as a new intellectual center of the Muslim world in the 21st century. (AT Network)
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