IAHNTPNews,- Institut Agama Hindu Negeri Tampung Penyang (IAHN-TP) Palangka Raya held a flag ceremony to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Hari Amal Bakti/HAB) at the courtyard of the IAHN-TP Rectorate on Saturday (3/1).
The ceremony was conducted solemnly and attended by the entire IAHN-TP academic community. Serving as the Ceremony Inspector, Rector of IAHN-TP Palangka Raya, Dr. Mujiyono, S.Ag., M.Ag., delivered the official address of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A.
In his address, the Minister stated that the 80th HAB commemoration adopted the theme “Harmonious Religious Communities and Synergy for a Peaceful and Progressive Indonesia.” The theme emphasizes that harmony is not merely the absence of conflict, but a form of national energy that fosters productive synergy. Differences in identity, belief, and social background must be woven into collaborative strengths for the advancement of the nation.
The address further emphasized that the presence of the Ministry of Religious Affairs is a real necessity for Indonesia as a pluralistic nation. The Republic of Indonesia was built through the synergy of all national components, from the struggle for independence to the present day. The founders of the Ministry envisioned it as an institution that actively nurtures peaceful religious life and contributes to the realization of a just, harmonious, and prosperous society.
Entering its eighth decade, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is reaffirmed as a guardian of religious reasoning within the framework of national unity. This role has expanded and become increasingly strategic, encompassing the improvement of religious and faith-based education, the strengthening of interreligious harmony based on humanitarian values, the empowerment of community-based religious economies, and the positioning of religion as a solution to national challenges.
Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has laid the foundation for the vision of “Impactful Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag Berdampak)” through concrete actions. Large-scale digital transformation has been implemented to provide faster, more transparent, and more accessible religious services. In the area of community economic empowerment, efforts have been strengthened through pesantren (Islamic boarding school) and the management of religious social funds, including zakat, waqf, infaq, alms, dana punia, dana paramita, and other charitable funds, which collectively serve as drivers of the people’s economy.
In the education sector, madrasahs, religious schools, and religious higher education institutions continue to demonstrate quality improvements, enabling them to compete on par with other educational institutions. Curriculum innovation and the strengthening of facilities and infrastructure have become key factors in this progress.
The Minister also highlighted contemporary challenges, particularly the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the VUCA era (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity). Civil servants of the Ministry of Religious Affairs are expected to adapt and take an active role by enriching AI with religious content that is moderate, valid, calming, and enlightening, ensuring that technology becomes a unifying force that strengthens harmony.
Concluding his address, the Minister called upon all Ministry of Religious Affairs civil servants to continuously transform into individuals who are agile, adaptive, innovative, and responsive, while upholding integrity and empathy in public service. With the spirit of the 80th HAB, it is hoped that synergy and religious harmony will continue to be preserved in order to realize a peaceful, progressive, and dignified Indonesia. //mr//