Youth Dialogue with Ulama to Inform Indonesian Muslim Congress VIII

The Institute for Islamic Arts, Culture, and Civilisation (LSBPI) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is encouraging the younger generation, especially santri, to engage in dialogue and convey their ideas to religious scholars. Various inputs from these young people will serve as recommendations for the 8th Congress of Indonesian Muslims (KUII VIII), scheduled for 24-26 July 2026.

This emerged during the ‘Remaja Bertanya, Ulama Menjawab’ (Youth Ask, Scholars Answer) event at the Daar el-Qolam Modern Islamic Boarding School in Tangerang Regency on Saturday (18/7/2026). The activity is part of the ‘Maestro Summit: 2nd Gathering of Muslim Artists and Cultural Figures throughout Indonesia’ and a pre-event for KUII VIII.

LSBPI MUI Chairman Habiburrahman El Shirazy stated that the forum was specifically designed to bring together scholars and the younger generation in an open dialogue. Initially, the discussion focused on arts and culture, but the santri were also invited to ask questions about various other issues they face.

‘Scholars are present with the youth. The main concept is that young people ask about arts and culture, but it is also open to other fields,’ Habiburrahman said in his remarks. The author of the novel ‘Ayat-Ayat Cinta’ also expressed appreciation to Pondok Pesantren Daar el-Qolam for hosting the Maestro Summit, noting that a culture of discipline, including starting events on time, is a good tradition that must be maintained.

Meanwhile, MUI Deputy Secretary-General for Islamic Arts, Culture, and Civilisation, Ustadz Erick Yusuf, explained that the activity is part of the pre-congress series for KUII VIII, which will be held at Hotel Bidakara Jakarta on 24-26 July 2026. According to him, all ideas, questions, and input from the santri will be summarised and brought to the congress forum.

‘The results of the pre-congress activities will be brought to KUII. So, if you provide input, thoughts, or questions, you have already contributed to the Congress of Indonesian Muslims,’ he said.

Erick noted that one of the challenges facing Muslims today is the rapid flow of digital information. He highlighted the phenomenon of AI-based religious preachers and social media influencers who, despite having many followers, are considered scholars without necessarily possessing adequate scholarly competence. He therefore expressed hope that the santri will become the next generation of scholars with scholarly authority, capable of providing correct religious explanations to the community.

Chairman of MUI Banten Province, KH Badarisyams, also praised the LSBPI MUI initiative for providing a dialogue space for teenagers. He stated that young people are the determinants of the direction of civilisation and should not be underestimated. He believes that teenagers must be given the opportunity to discuss and convey their views to the scholars. Quoting KH Wahid Hasyim, Badarisyams advised the younger generation not to be afraid to try or ask questions. ‘If you want to do it, do it, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Because even if it is wrong, it will become a perfection in our lives,’ he said.