Yogyakarta, October 27, 2026 — The Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) of Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta held  the Indonesia-Austria Religious Dialogue on Tuesday (27/10/2026), located in the Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. This activity became an academic meeting room and cross-border dialogue to strengthen interreligious understanding, exchange of ideas, and develop cooperation in the religious and intellectual fields.

This event presented two speakers from Austria, namely Dr. Reidegeld Michael Frank and Fatma Akyildiz, M.A., and was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, Prof. Dr. Robby Habiba Abror, S.Ag., M.Hum. The activity was guided by Dr. Munawar Ahmad, M.Si., Vice Dean II of FUPI, who acted as the host or master of ceremony (MC).

The forum also presented 45 Islamic academics and activists from Austria. The presence of the participants expanded the space for dialogue and opened up opportunities for the exchange of experiences on religious life, the dynamics of Muslim society, and the challenges of interreligious relations in diverse social and cultural contexts.

From the side of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, emphasized the importance of dialogue as a means of building deeper understanding in the midst of differences in religious, cultural, and intellectual traditions. Universities have a strategic role in providing an open, critical, and constructive meeting space to discuss religious issues while finding common ground in common life.

The Indonesia-Austria dialogue is an opportunity for academics and activists to exchange perspectives on how religion is understood, practiced, and developed in a society that has a diversity of identities. This kind of meeting is also important to avoid misunderstandings about other religious traditions, while encouraging the growth of mutual respect.

The involvement of participants from Austria provides an international dimension to academic activities within the FUPI environment. Through discussions and exchange of experiences, participants are expected to broaden their horizons on the practice of interfaith dialogue, the role of the Muslim community in society, and the contribution of educational institutions in building a peaceful and inclusive social life.

For FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this activity is in line with the commitment to develop Islamic studies that is open to dialogue and cross-cultural encounters. The Islamic scientific tradition is not only related to the deepening of religious texts and thoughts, but also to efforts to understand social realities and build productive relationships with society and other intellectual traditions.

The implementation of the Indonesia-Austria Religious Dialogue is expected to be the first step and strengthening for academic relations and sustainable international partnerships. The dialogue does not stop at the exchange of ideas in the forum, but can develop into research collaborations, joint scientific activities, and knowledge exchanges that are beneficial to both parties.

Through this forum, FUPI UIN Sunan Kalijaga emphasized the importance of making interreligious dialogue part of scientific development and strengthening human relations. The meeting between Indonesia and Austria is expected to contribute to building a society that respects differences, prioritizes mutual understanding, and makes diversity the basis for broader cooperation.