Anna Amalia

How do religious minority groups maintain resilience amid repeated persecution while continuing to contribute to social harmony as part of a shared national identity? This question become the central theme of the Talk Show and Book Discussion Seminar entitle “Seratus Tahun Bersama: Menenun Resiliensi, Meneguhkan Identitas Bangsa Dan Solidaritas Kemanusiaan,” held as part of the roadshow for the book discussion “Muslim Ahmadiyah dan Indonesia: 100 Tahun Keberagaman & Kerja Kemanusiaan” (“Ahmadiyya Muslims and Indonesia: 100 Years of Diversity and Humanitarian Work”). The event was organized by Jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia (JAI) in collaboration with Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana Yogyakarta on May 6, 2026. Two members of the academic community from the IRS UGM actively participated in the event: Dr. Zainal Abidin Bagir, a lecturer in the study program, served as a speaker, while Anna Amalia, a student of the program, moderated the discussion. read more

Hendrikus Paulus Kaunang

Associate Professor Dr. Dicky Sofjan, a lecturer from Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), opened a critical discussion on the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran during the PhiloTalk Lecture Series organized by the Faculty of Philosophy UGM on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Known for his expertise in religion and politics in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Dr. Sofjan brings extensive academic experience, including research and study in Iran. read more

Dicky Sofjan

Associate Professor Dr. Dicky Sofjan of UGM’s Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) program recently attended the Summit on the “Sustainability of Hope: Envisioning a New Horizon for Planetary Flourishing” in Rome, Italy. Held on March 12-14, 2026, the Summit was hosted by the Notre Dame University’s Just Transformations in Sustainability (JST), which “advances a distinctive model of sustainability rooted in hope, justice, and community, and seeks to catalyze transformative change grounded in the best available science and foundational ideas of “Integral Ecology”. read more

Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras

Dr. Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras, a lecturer in the Inter-Religious Studies Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada Graduate School, participated in the International Symposium on Religion, Media, and Culture in Southeast Asia, a three-day hybrid conference held from February 19–21, 2026. The symposium was organized by Institut Filsafat dan Teknologi Kreatif (IFTK) Ledalero in collaboration with the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication at St. John’s University (Thailand), providing an important platform for cross-country dialogue on religion, media, and culture in the digital age. The symposium brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from across Southeast Asia and beyond (including participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia) to explore how the digital revolution is transforming religious practices and cultural life in pluralistic societies. Through panel discussions and academic exchanges, participants examined the complex interactions between religion, media technologies, and cultural dynamics in the region. read more

Hendrikus Paulus Kaunang

The Inter-Religious Studies (IRS) Program of the Graduate School at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is currently developing a micro-credential module titled “Religious Literacy: Enriching Discourses on Religion and Diversity.” This program consists of two modules: Religion and Citizenship and Religion and Social Practices. The modules are designed to support the public service role of Religious Counselors (Penyuluh Agama) in Indonesia. The development of these modules involves a team of scholars and researchers, namely Dr. Leonard Chrysostomos Epafras, Dr. Dicky Sofjan, Hendrikus Paulus Kaunang, M.A., Ida Fitri Astuti, M.A., and David Akbar Hasyemi Rafsanjani. read more