Hamka Circle Holds Inaugural Discussion on Multicultural Da'wah for Chinese Ethnic Community
Efforts to revive Buya Hamka’s inclusive da’wah within Indonesian society continue. One such initiative is the inaugural Hamka Circle discussion recently held. The online forum, conducted on Friday, 29 May 2026, focused on the theme “Buya Hamka’s Multicultural Da’wah towards the Chinese Ethnic Community.”
According to Muhammad Abdullah Darraz, Executive Director of CIVIC Uhamka, the event served as a platform for reflecting on Buya Hamka’s intellectual legacy. Many of the first chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)’s ideas remain relevant in addressing contemporary national challenges.
The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. Hamka (Uhamka), Prof. Ai Fatimah Nur Fuad.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Ai Fatimah stressed the importance of fostering a productive academic climate within campuses. She stated that universities must serve as centres for intellectual development and the practical application of scholarly knowledge.
“The Faculty of Islamic Studies at Uhamka established the Centre for Islam and Civilization Studies (CIVIC) to accelerate academic research and studies, enabling scholars to enhance their professionalism as lecturers and researchers,” said Ai Fatimah, according to a written statement dated 30 May 2026.
Muhammad Abdullah Darraz explained that Hamka Circle is a regular programme designed to cultivate a tradition of scholarly research on campus. He added that the forum was built on openness and the development of Islamic studies through an interdisciplinary approach.
“As the inaugural discussion, we chose the theme of Buya Hamka’s multicultural da’wah to ensure his ideas on inclusivity, intercultural dialogue, and social justice are accessible to today’s youth,” he said.
During the main session, Uhamka FAI lecturer Dr. Jaja Nurjannah presented how Buya Hamka applied a humanistic approach when interacting with the Chinese community in Indonesia. She noted that this approach demonstrated his ability to transcend ethnic boundaries, making da’wah a tool for building harmonious social relations.
“Buya Hamka’s da’wah towards the Chinese ethnic community is a clear example of multicultural da’wah rooted in social psychology and cultural respect. He approached them not with judgment, but with open dialogue and empathy,” Dr. Jaja stated in her presentation.
Moderated by Dwi Setyowati, the discussion was dynamic, with participants raising questions and comments reflecting strong public interest in a da’wah model emphasising dialogue, respect for differences, and social harmony. Attendees also viewed Buya Hamka’s teachings as not only historically significant but also as relevant academic and social references for contemporary Indonesian society.
Through this event, Hamka Circle aims to continue providing a space for dialogue that examines Buya Hamka’s ideas from various perspectives, including literature, politics, and humanistic theology. The forum, under the auspices of CIVIC FAI Uhamka, is expected to serve as a strategic platform for disseminating the Islamic, humanitarian, and national values inherited by Buya Hamka to current generations.