BANGKA BELITUNG, NEWS SPs – The Director of the Graduate School of the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Zulkifli, MA, became one of the main speakers at the International Student Conference organized by IAIN Syaikh Abdurrahman Siddik (SAS) Bangka Belitung on Monday, October 27, 2025. The event was part of the Sedulang International Festival (SeIFa) activities in the context of the 21st Anniversary of IAIN SAS Babel.

Carrying the theme "Harmony in Creation," the conference which was held in a hybrid manner (online and offline) attracted high enthusiasm from students. In addition to Prof. Zulkifli, Prof. Muhamad Ali, Ph.D from the University of California, Riverside, United States, was present online, adding to the academic weight of the event which took place in the Hall of the IAIN SAS Babel Integrated Building.

The Rector of IAIN SAS Babel, Dr. Irawan, M.Si, in his speech had highlighted Indonesia as a multicultural country but able to live peacefully, harmoniously, and respectfully with each other. He emphasized that peaceful religious life in Indonesia can be an example for the world community.

In his presentation session, Prof. Zulkifli specifically discussed "Malay Cultural System, Moderate Islam, and Sustainable Peace: Continuity and Challenges of the Trajectory of Malay Civilization." The crucial point conveyed is that peace and moderation are not coincidental traits in Malay society, but are the basic logic of Malay identity itself.

Prof. Zulkifli explained that starting from the roots of customary and syarak to  the contemporary expression of wasatiyah (moderation), Malay civilization is rooted in the epistemology of budi (moral intelligence). The Malay world has historically succeeded in transforming Islam into a living ethic of balance, harmony, and social justice, making it a cohesive moral order that unites law, spirituality, and aesthetics.

Prof. Zulkifli added that Islam in the Malay context has become a complete system of peace. According to him, the synthesis between intellectuality and compassion, tradition and reform, as well as spirituality and law, shows how a civilization can remain faithful to revelation (religious teachings) while embracing diversity.

Furthermore, Prof. Zulkifli emphasized that in the global era, the Malay cultural system offers a universal paradigm of sustainable peace. This peace is interpreted not as the absence of conflict, but as moral harmony or attitudes, institutions, and structures that actively build and maintain a peaceful society.