Enviro News Asia, Washington DC — Indonesian students preparing to become Islamic scholars are exploring interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding through an academic exchange programme at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU) in Connecticut, the United States.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo met the students on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as they completed a short-term study programme at HIU. The participants are members of the Islamic Scholar Development Programme of Istiqlal Mosque, known as PKUMI, affiliated with PTIQ University Jakarta.
During the meeting, the students shared their experiences studying in interreligious classrooms, conducting research with HIU faculty members, engaging in dialogue with students of different faiths, and adapting to academic and cultural life in the United States.
The programme is a collaboration between PTIQ University, Istiqlal Mosque and HIU. It provides participants with opportunities to study the Qur’an, Islamic studies, interfaith relations and peacebuilding in an academic environment that encourages engagement across religious traditions.
The students come from various parts of Indonesia, including Central Lombok and West Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara, Seluma in Bengkulu, North Kampar in Riau, Wajo in South Sulawesi, Pontianak in West Kalimantan, Donggala in Central Sulawesi, and Tuban and Kediri in East Java.
They travelled to the United States through scholarships from Indonesia’s Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), with recommendations from Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar. The short-term study programme is also a mandatory component of the PKUMI curriculum.
At HIU, participants conduct thesis or dissertation research under academic supervision, attend seminars on Qur’anic studies and Islamic research methods, and take part in intercultural activities and English-language training.
They also meet and exchange perspectives with Muslim, Jewish, Eastern Orthodox Christian, Bahá’í and Druze students. These interactions allow participants to learn about different religious traditions through direct engagement rather than relying solely on theoretical study.
HIU’s interreligious learning environment introduces students to religious differences, interfaith dialogue, stereotypes and ways to avoid excluding people from other communities. Participants are encouraged to visit and understand faith communities different from their own, fostering empathy and communication across religious boundaries.
The partnership between PTIQ University, Istiqlal Mosque and HIU has been strengthened through cooperation with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Areas of collaboration include education, joint research, academic exchanges and the development of Islamic scholar training programmes, including efforts to strengthen the role of women scholars.
The experience is intended to equip the future scholars with more than academic knowledge. By engaging with people from different religious backgrounds, they gain practical experience in listening, understanding differences and building relationships that can support peaceful coexistence.
Their experience in Hartford highlights how interfaith engagement can create opportunities for mutual understanding and contribute to peacebuilding in Indonesia and beyond. (*)
