The English Literature Department once again took part in an international seminar organized by the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, UIN Sunan Kalijaga, titled “Islam and Multiculturalism in Russia” on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Held in the Theatrical Room on the first floor of the faculty, the event featured academics from Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University (NSPU), Russia, along with members of the academic community of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The seminar served as a platform for sharing insights on cultural diversity and Islamic life in Russia.

The seminar featured three main speakers: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Wildan, M.A. from UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and two guest speakers from Russia, Prof. Kostina Alekseevna Ekaterina, Ph.D., and Prof. Mussaev Salavat Gadzhievich. Both are academics from NSPU who came with a spirit of collaboration to build mutual understanding across cultures and religions. The event was attended by the Head of the English Literature Study Program, Dr. Ulyati Retno Sari, S.S., M.Hum., the Secretary of the Study Program, Dr. Dwi Margo Yuwono, M.Hum., several faculty members and students of English Literature, as well as an international student from Libya, who contributed to the lively atmosphere of the discussion.

As the opening speaker, Prof. Wildan delivered an introductory presentation on the relationship between Islam and Russian society, as well as how religious life is practiced in the secular country. He emphasized that Russia has a long history of interaction with the Muslim community, and in many ways, shows a different approach than Western countries in addressing Islam.

In the main session, Prof. Ekaterina and Prof. Salavat shared their experiences on religious life and diversity in Russia. They explained that in Russia, religion is a private business that is not included in the education system or state institutions. Even so, respect for all religions is highly valued. There is no discrimination against Muslims, even students from various Islamic countries are well accepted and respected in Russian society.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the professional relationship between Prof. Ekaterina, who is Christian, and Prof. Salavat, who is Muslim. They have worked together for a long time and have made their differences in beliefs not an obstacle, but a strength in cooperation. Their story is a clear example of how multiculturalism is being practiced in Russia.

Political issues were also mentioned in the discussion. The speakers highlighted that as a secular country, Russia has strict restrictions on political talks, especially those that are considered to threaten stability. Politics is a sensitive issue and can be risky to talk about openly. This is different from Indonesia, where freedom of opinion and speech is more guaranteed, including in the political and religious realms.

In addition to being a platform for sharing ideas, this seminar also aims to establish further cooperation between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and NSPU Russia, through discussion of the plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This cooperation is expected to include student and lecturer exchanges, collaborative research, and other academic collaborations that benefit both parties.

The event went smoothly, full of enthusiasm, and active interaction from the audience. Students and lecturers who attended actively asked questions and had direct dialog with the speakers. This shows the high level of interest in multiculturalism and Islamic life in non-Muslim countries, and highlights the importance of such academic forums in strengthening tolerance and global understanding. (AMP)