YOGYAKARTA – The strategic "EU–Indonesia Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue 2025," organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and UIN Sunan Kalijaga, served as a platform for critical reflection on the challenges of faith in the modern era (Nov 29, 2025). Attended by lecturers as well as undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI), the forum featured three international presentation sessions.
In the third session, titled "Religion as a Vector of Gender Equality," the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Dr. H. Robby Habiba Abror, M.Hum., delivered an academic address highlighting the threat of digital egoism under the title "The Death of Narcissus and the Future of Faith."
Before dissecting these philosophical and theological challenges, Prof. Robby began his session by inviting all attendees—including the Deputy Ambassador of the European Union and various diplomats—to observe a moment of silence. A prayer of solidarity was offered for the victims of the floods and landslides that struck Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
In his main presentation, Prof. Robby warned that the Narcissus Syndrome—referring to the ancient Greek mythological figure who died from loving his own reflection—has now metamorphosed into an existential threat. Citing the thoughts of Jean Baudrillard and Marshall McLuhan, he described device screens as the new "reflection pools" for modern humans.
Society is now seen as being hypnotized into polishing their Avatars on social media in a hunt for validation, falling in love with artificial self-images—whether as pious figures, intellectuals, or activists in the virtual world.
“This obsession with digital reflection causes us to ignore the 'Echo' in real life—such as spouses, children, and neighbors—who are crying out for attention right beside us,” emphasized Prof. Robby.
Prof. Robby argued that Indonesia—a geographic expanse equivalent to eight European countries stretching from London, UK to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and home to 1,340 ethnic groups—has managed to endure as a laboratory of global pluralism precisely because the nation has successfully killed "collective narcissism." Indonesia survives because it dared to stop seeking its own Narcissus reflection and began embracing "The Other" (Liyan).
Furthermore, he connected this philosophical thread to the issue of gender equality by challenging the audience to dismantle "Patriarchal Narcissus"—a system where men view the world only through the mirror of their own domination. For him, religion is not the enemy of equality, but rather a potential vector for upholding gender justice.
The narrative was enriched by international perspectives from two other speakers. Dunya Elemenler, a Muslim Chairwoman of the Islamic-Christian Association in Germany, dissected the "trust issues" plaguing Europe. Despite Germany's diverse demographics, challenges of discrimination and refugee issues still loom. Dunya emphasized that interfaith dialogue is the main path to reweaving torn social trust.
Meanwhile, Dr. Alice Schumann, a German Hindu active in the German-Indian Association, highlighted the position of women standing at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. She explained the transformation of Hindu women's roles, now moving from the domestic sphere to becoming strategic forces in environmental issues and poverty alleviation, inspired by the theological figures of goddesses in Hindu tradition.
Following the international seminar framed within the Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, the event continued with a more in-depth and focused discussion in the Dean's Room of FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Together with the Deputy EU Ambassador, delegates from Germany, Belgium, Italy, and France, as well as the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation, they discussed efforts to enhance collaboration and strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union in the fields of religion and humanity.
Jakarta-Brussels Diplomatic Commitment
The Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Dr. Noorhaidi Hasan, reaffirmed his university's position as a host rooted in the tradition of moderation. “This dialogue reflects our commitment to advancing interdisciplinary studies and empowering society to face global challenges,” he stated.
Similarly, Stephane Mechati, Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia, cited the practice of harmonization in Indonesia as a valuable lesson for the world. “At a time when the world faces geopolitical instability, fostering dialogue between religious communities is not only important, but urgent,” Mechati asserted.
From the government side, Ghofar Ismail from the Directorate of Public Diplomacy at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the activation of this dialogue as a reflection of the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). This forum is expected to produce concrete recommendations that go beyond government-to-government (G-to-G) relations, touching the grassroots through the involvement of scholars and civil society. (Munawar Ahmad)