Bandar Lampung – Since his appointment by the Rector of UIN Raden Intan Lampung, Prof. H. Wan Jamaluddin MAg PhD, as the Head of the Islamic Civilization History Program (SPI) at the Faculty of Adab, Wahyu Iryana has been implementing a series of progressive programs.
Together with his team of faculty members from the SPI program, Wahyu has initiated various activities to support the advancement of historical knowledge. These initiatives include organizing workshops on journal writing and scientific papers, creating a documentary film about tourist destinations and historical sites in Lampung, proposing the title of “National Hero” for KH. Ahmad Hanafiah, and most recently, the establishment of the Lampung Islamic Studies Center.
The series of events for the Lampung Islamic Studies Center began on August 17, 2023, with the first monthly discussion themed around Islamic history, philology, and local studies, featuring faculty members, practicing historians, and alumni of the SPI program.
Recently, on August 21-22, the SPI program invited Prof. Irina Katkova, a professor from St. Petersburg University, Russia, for an international visiting lecture on Islamic history.
The event, hosted by Prof. Irina herself, was lively and attended by students and faculty members from the Faculty of Adab. The Dean of the Faculty of Adab, Dr. H. Ahmad Bukhari Muslim Lc MA, delivered a welcoming speech, providing academic encouragement and a renewed spirit for the literacy and manuscript movement at the Faculty.
“The discussions covered topics such as the introduction of Islam to Indonesia, the development of Sufi movements, and the preservation of manuscripts by scholars that remain relevant to this day,” said Wahyu.
Prof. Irina also shared her research findings and documents from field visits, including trips to the Sultan’s Palaces in Yogyakarta and Cirebon.
“The event concluded with a dialogue session. A student named Fajar asked why Prof. Irina was interested in researching the Nusantara manuscripts. Similarly, Mustofa and Agus provided information that many Lampung manuscripts remain unexplored,” Wahyu explained.
On the second day of the event, the committee introduced a manuscript collector from Lampung, Achmad from Sukabumi, Bandar Lampung. “Achmad has a collection of 30 manuscripts in Arabic and Lampung,” Wahyu said.
Achmad appeared enthusiastic as he showcased his manuscript collection to Prof. Irina.
“Some of these manuscripts date back to the Ottoman period, and others come from descendants of Sheikh Irsyad Al Banjari who migrated to Lampung,” Wahyu added.
Looking ahead, Wahyu confirmed that the SPI program has already scheduled a series of monthly discussions from 2023 to 2026. Below are the planned themes and speakers for the upcoming discussions:
- August
Dr. H. Wahyu Iryana
(Investment in the Struggle for Independence and Inspiration for Future Generations) - September
Arifin, S. Hum
(The Diaspora of the Pasai Kingdom) - October
Dr. Abd. Rahman Hamid
(Exploring Nusantara Trade) - November
Kiki Widia Sari, S. Hum
(The Bugis People in Lampung) - December
Aan Budianto, S.Pd., MA
(Transmigration and the Hindu Community in Lampung) - January
Syahril Ramadhan, S.Hum
(The Aceh War) - February
Agus Mahfudin Setiawan, M. Hum
(Missionary Movements in Lampung) - March
Dra. Siti Masykuroh, M.Sos.I
(Gender Movements in Indonesia) - April
Nabilla, M. Pd
(The Struggles of Prophet Muhammad SAW in Dawah) - May
Elda Harits, S.Hum
(Trade Between Banten and Lampung) - June
Uswatun Hasanah, M.Hum
(Soekarno and Leadership) - July
Kamran MA/Ahmad/Arman ZE, Lc., MA
(Philology and Lampung Manuscripts)
“The schedule is tentative and may adjust as needed,” Wahyu added.
Following these initial stages, Wahyu confirmed that the Lampung Islamic Studies Center would be launched by the end of September or early October 2023.
He explained that the Lampung Islamic Studies Center is planned to serve as a research hub and laboratory for the study of Islamic history in Lampung, focusing on manuscript collections, studies, and all things related to Lampung’s Islamic identity.
As the Head of SPI, Wahyu hopes that the establishment of the Lampung Islamic Studies Center will bring a positive impact for the advancement of UIN Raden Intan Lampung.
“Of course, we also hope that the broader Lampung community will benefit from this initiative. Researchers who focus on Lampung will also be able to stay connected with the Lampung Islamic Studies Center,” he concluded.
