Observing the recent global decline in the quality of democracy, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (UIN Jakarta) is called upon to enhance both the quality and quantity of democracy education (civic education) for a better future of Indonesian democracy.

This statement was made by Professor Dr. Achmad Ubaedillah, M.A., a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UIN Jakarta, during his inaugural address at the Open Senate Session of UIN Jakarta on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The inaugural speech, titled "Revitalizing Democracy Education in Islamic Religious Higher Education: Experiences and Contributions of IAIN/UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta," was delivered by Ubaedillah, who also currently serves as the Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.

Ubaedillah noted that since the fall of the New Order regime in 1998, democracy has been a driving force for political and social change in Indonesia. Now, democracy education by Islamic Religious Higher Education institutions, particularly those under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, is urgently needed.

He emphasized that Islamic Religious Higher Education institutions play a crucial role in disseminating democratic values and practices through democracy education programs packaged as civic education for the young Muslim generation. This aims to uphold democracy as a public commitment in national life.

Ubaedillah stated that UIN Jakarta holds a strategic and historical role in the development of democracy education among young Muslims. Along with over 130 other higher education institutions, UIN Jakarta has been a historical actor in the development of democracy education post-New Order.

He also stressed the importance of fostering collaboration with influential democratic figures and moderate civil society organizations. These elements should ideally work together with institutions like UIN.

Prof. Ubaedillah further explained that since the early reform era, UIN Jakarta has made history by initiating national programs and 'political education' through the development of civic education courses.

Unlike past civic education programs that were full of deviations, the civic education introduced by UIN Jakarta today prioritizes new approaches and methods in teaching democratic values and principles.

"This program is also expected to make a significant contribution to the development and cultivation of democracy in Indonesia," he said, adding that Islamic Religious Higher Education institutions can fill the void of public political education programs that should be carried out by political parties.