Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

Faculty of Islamic Studies (FAI) of University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) held National Seminar and Consolidation of Syariah Students throughout Indonesia on Saturday (4/16). The event under the topic of “Consistency and Existence of Syariah towards Time Changing Problems” was held by Syariah Student Associations from all over Indonesia. 

Rector of UMM Dr. Muhadjir Effendy, MAP stated it was essential event for Syariah position in order to answer community needs. Rector understood some of community anxieties. The name changing from IAIN to UIN was alledged not to islamize general science but generalize Islamic science. The big anxiety was on university students who are interest to study general knowledge rather than Islamic one.    

“Whereas, integrating Islam to general science is not easy,” said the Rector. Anxiety on the scarcity of ulama cadre will come true if there is no consideration on this matter.    

Dean of FAI Drs. Sunarto, M.Ag stated the event came from an idea to discuss substantively on how Syariah answers time changing. Technically, he also wanted to to look deeper on government regulation related to degree of Syariah. So far, it has not been seriously standardized into S,Sy (Sarjana Syariah). “There have been S.Ag and S.HI degrees. Meanwhile, S.Sy will soon be used. We need to clarify this issue in order not to make people get confused,” he said. Therefore, FAI UMM invited competent speaker, Directorate General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religion of Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Nur Syam, M.Si.  

Specification on discipline and academic degree of Islamic Higher Education Institutions was decided through the forum. “There are three basic points of Syariah existence related to future expert,” stated Nur Syam. First, as it has been clearly declared in the opening of UUD, educating the nations. Government has a nine-year compulsory education and 12-year universal education. The program is expected to alleviate people from illiteracy in 2040.        

Second, opening equal educational access. It means government should appreciate if there are people who open educational institutions by participating intensively in the program. Third, it was all about the certificate. Certificate or diploma is an evidence of learning result. Therefore, the government must soon decide to use either S.HI or S.Sy. “It is because of Islamic law advocat uses S.Sy,” he closed. (nov/nas/t_vik)