Medan - The Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, in collaboration with UIN North Sumatra, held the annual event The 8th International Colloquium on Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies (ICIIS) 2025. This international conference was held at Le Polonia Hotel & Convention Medan, lasting for four days, from 18 to 21 August 2025. This event is an important forum for academics and researchers to discuss global issues from an Islamic perspective.

This year, the 8th ICIIS raised a central theme that is very relevant to today's world challenges, namely "Religion, Science and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Discourses and Practical Integrations". This theme was chosen to bridge the discussion between religious values, especially Islam, with the development of modern science and global efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is hoped that this conference can produce concrete thinking and solutions that combine the two domains to create a better future.

The opening ceremony began with a report from the 8th Chairman of ICIIS in 2025, Prof. Dr. JM. Muslimin, MA, expressed his gratitude for the holding of this international colloquium in the midst of budget limitations. According to him, the full support of the leaders of the two universities and the close cooperation between the committees in Jakarta and Medan were important factors for the success of the event. "More than 190 presenters have presented their articles related to religion, science, and the SDGs. We also present speakers from various universities around the world, ranging from America, the United Kingdom, Germany, to Lebanon and Pakistan," he said.

Prof. JM added that this colloquium is an important momentum to strengthen international academic networks and encourage the birth of interdisciplinary research. He also emphasized that this event is not the last, but rather the beginning of broader cooperation in the future. "God willing, this collaboration will continue and grow, providing benefits for the wider community," he added.

Warm welcome from the host, the Rector of UIN North Sumatra Medan, Prof. Dr. Hj. Nurhayati, M.Ag. In his speech, expressed his pride in the holding of this international forum in Medan. He emphasized that this cooperation is not only symbolic, but a strategic commitment to strengthen the role of Islamic universities in nation building. "This collaboration represents a real commitment to develop interdisciplinary research and produce innovations based on Islamic values that benefit society," he said.

Furthermore, the Rector of UINSU invited the entire academic community to remove the dichotomy between religious science and general science. According to him, both of them come from Allah and must be integrated in order to give birth to a superior civilization. He also invited participants to not only write and discuss, but also create inventions and innovations that provide real solutions to the challenges of the times. "Islamic higher education institutions must become laboratories of civilization, the birthplace of great ideas as well as concrete solutions," he said.

On the same occasion, the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, Ph.D, emphasized the importance of reinterpreting the relationship between religion and science in the modern era. According to him, religious people are currently facing major challenges such as the development of artificial intelligence, health issues, the economy, and global environmental crises. "This colloquium is expected not only to produce academic publications, but also concrete solutions for the community," he said.

The Rector of UIN Jakarta also emphasized the importance of creating an academic environment that is more open, tolerant, and responsive to the times. "We need to prioritize moderation, tolerance, and collaboration across disciplines. This is what will make Islamic universities more relevant in answering global challenges," he added before officially opening the event with the reading of Basmalah with the participants.

On the second day, Plenary Session 2 continued with presentations from Prof. Dr. Zulkifli, MA, Director of the Graduate School of UIN Jakarta, and Dr. Harry Sudarma from STT Baptist Calvary Jakarta. Both provide views from both theological and practical perspectives, enriching the discussions that had begun the previous day. This session emphasized that inter-religious and inter-disciplinary cooperation is key to achieving more inclusive and sustainable development goals.

The speakers presented various perspectives on the relationship between religion, science, and sustainable development from a social, cultural, and historical perspective. This lively and in-depth discussion provided new insights for the participants on how Islamic values can be the moral and ethical foundation in implementing the SDGs.

At the end of the event, the best articles and presenters were announced. This award was given to the 6 best articles and 6 best presenters, as a form of appreciation for the quality of research and presentation in the presentation.

Overall, the 8th ICIIS in 2025 is not only a place for scientific presentations, but also a strong platform for collaboration. This conference successfully brought together experts from various backgrounds to discuss, exchange ideas, and build partnerships that will have a positive impact on the future. It is hoped that the results of the discussions and research presented can be a valuable contribution to the wider community, both at the national and global levels. (JA)