Jakarta, October 17, 2025 — To commemorate the 2576th birthday of the Great Sage Confucius (Zhi Sheng Dan), the Supreme Council for the Confucian Religion of Indonesia (MATAKIN), in collaboration with the Center for Confucian Guidance and Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, held the Fifth International Islam–Confucianism Dialogue under the theme “Building Global Harmony Rooted in Family Harmony.”
The event, hosted at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Hall on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jakarta, brought together distinguished speakers from Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia. Among them was Dr. Samsul Hidayat, M.A., a prominent lecturer and researcher from the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Pontianak, who represented Indonesia in the interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Hidayat delivered a paper titled “The Epistemology of the Middle Way: The Synergy of Wasathiyah and Zhong Yong in Building a Theology of Life and Global Harmony from the Space of the Family.” His presentation explored how Islamic Wasathiyah (moderation) and Confucian Zhong Yong (the Doctrine of the Mean) can serve as ethical frameworks for achieving global harmony through the cultivation of balanced family values.
According to Dr. Hidayat, the modern world faces a paradox—technological progress accompanied by moral and spiritual decline. “The family must become the heart of ethical transformation,” he emphasized. “Wasathiyah guides us toward proportionality between compassion (rahmah) and justice (‘adl), while Zhong Yong teaches emotional balance through sincerity (cheng) and benevolence (ren). When united, these principles create a ‘Theology of Life’—a harmony between the divine, humanity, and nature.”
Drawing from his research, Dr. Hidayat argued that both traditions reject extremism and promote relational ethics grounded in moderation and mutual respect. This synthesis, he noted, offers a spiritual model that begins within the family and radiates outward to society and global civilization.
Speakers from South Korea and Malaysia also shared insights on moral education and ecological spirituality within their cultural contexts. Together, the discussions underscored that interfaith dialogue is not merely a theological exchange but a moral movement toward sustainable peace and shared humanity.
The organizing committee expressed deep appreciation for the participation of all speakers, noting that Indonesia’s contribution—through scholars like Dr. Samsul Hidayat—reflects the nation’s enduring commitment to peacebuilding and interreligious understanding.
Through the unifying spirit of Wasathiyah and Zhong Yong, the dialogue reaffirmed that harmony in the world begins with harmony at home. From the family table to the global stage, the “Middle Way” stands as a timeless ethic for nurturing compassion, balance, and peace among humankind.