Yogyakarta- As many as 36 students in Yogyakarta followed Youth Interfaith Gathering (YIG) which was initiated by Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies (CRCS) UGM, Saturday (12/2). Christian, Catholic, Buddha and Hindu, and they are from four universities: Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Sanata Dharma University (Sadhar), Islamic State University of Sunan Kalijaga, Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW), and Nazarene Theology Institute (STTN).
Director of CRCS UGM, Dr. Zainal Abidin Bagir, said that the interfaith intensive dialogue will discuss more about religion and disasters. The dialogue aims to open space among youths who have different backgrounds of religion, discipline, and cultural tradition to communicate each other. “This is not a research. It aims to meet different backgrounds of religion, universities, discipline, tradition and aims to discus about disaster,” he said.
According to Zainal, the strength of this event conducted bgeneration. “The focus is the young generation. Up to now, interfaith discussion is more limited to religious figures. Here, they indirectly discuss about religion, but make communication and dialogue among them,” he said.
UGM Executive Secretary, Drs. Djoko Moerdiyanto, M.A, welcomed and appreciated the implementation of dialogue. “The interfaith dialogue makes the youth has full understanding about the religious life,” said Djoko at UGM Hall, Saturday (12/2).
Besides conducting interfaith dialogue, the participants also visited areas of Merapi eruption disaster at Bronggang Hamlet, Cangkringan. At the disaster location, the participants eole of religious and politis of eruption, both positive and negative matters. They can interact directly to know more about people’s perception in facing disasters,” said Committee Chairman, Najjah Martiam in Oasis Hotel, Kaliurang, Sleman.
Afterwards, the participants discussed their findings in the field. Furthermore, it was followed by panel discussion about religion and disaster, delivered by CRCS researcher, Dr. Arkom Kuswanjono and Suhadi Cholil. In his presentation, Suhadi Cholil emphasized the importance of humanity in helping people hit by disasters without differentiate their religion and faith.