The Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS) organized a workshop on Enriching Religious Discourse and Diversity for religious extension officers. The workshop, which was aimed at religious extension officers within the Ministry of Religion, was held on Wednesday-Thursday, November 13-14, 2024 at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Maluku Province. In its organization, ICRS collaborated with the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Maluku Province, the State Christian Institute (IAKN) Ambon, and the Institute for Indonesia Academic Partnership (IIAP).
This program is in line and relevant with what is being promoted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Religious Moderation. The emphasis is on the content and delivery of the program and the target group of each program, namely religious instructors. This program is expected to increase knowledge and experience of other religious communities which will ultimately create an attitude of tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance. Therefore, this Religious Literacy Program is a contribution to complement Religious Moderation.
With the tagline “ RUKUN, RAGAM, SEPADAN”, the program that has been started since 2017-2020 (Phase 1) aims to increase the capacity of the religious extension officers, and other stakeholders in order to strengthen and expand awareness of religious discourse, diversity, tolerance and social justice in the community. After passing the COVID-19 pandemic, ICRS has been continuing this program in 2023-2025 (Phase 2) with coverage areas of East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, West Sumatra and North Sumatra.
The workshop in East Nusa Tenggara was held in Kupang on 5-6 November 2024 involving 100 religious instructors from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of NTT Province; Kupang City Religious Office; Kupang Regency Religious Office; lecturers and students of the IAKN Kupang Religious Education Study Program; and teachers of Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Ambon City. On this occasion, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of NTT Province was pleased to open the event and delivered reinforcement material to the participants. Meanwhile, the Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of IAKN Kupang was pleased to close the activity which was held for one and a half days.
While in Ambon, the workshop was held on Wednesday-Thursday, November 13-14, 2024 at the Maluku Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The one and a half day activity was opened by the Head of the Ambon Religious Education and Training Center (BDK) and closed by IAKN Ambon. Participants received enrichment in the form of six materials. Four of the materials refer to modules developed by ICRS in Phase 1 together with the Research and Development Center for Religious Education and Religious Services, Balitbang & Diklat of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.