Semarang (31/05) – A deep understanding of global political dynamics, including ethnic and religious politics, is crucial in producing competent graduates who are able to make positive contributions to national development. This highlights the importance of increasing knowledge in the field of intergovernmental and international relations for students and academics within the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip). Therefore, FISIP Undip continues to strive to hold academic activities that bring in experts from various parts of the world to share knowledge and experience.

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, the FISIP Undip International Office held a Guest Lecturer with the theme “Ethnic and Religious Politics in Sudan: Lessons Learned for Indonesia” online via the Zoom Meeting application. This activity presented a speaker from abroad, namely Prof. Dr. Abdu Mukhtar Musa from Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.

In his speech, the Dean of FISIP Undip, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, said that this topic was very relevant to be studied by all participants in the lecture. He emphasized, “The topics that I think are now our general lecture, ethnic and religious politics in Sudan, I think we can learn a lot from there. There are many political systems, political cultures, political activities, which I think we can learn together.”

Prof. Abdu Mukhtar Musa, in his presentation, discussed in depth the political and ethnic diversity in Sudan and how it affects the national identity of the Sudanese people. He also explained the political transition in Sudan, from dictatorship to Islamic-based politics and civil society. In addition, Prof. Musa also discussed how ethnic and religious conflicts in Sudan had caused the country to split.

This guest lecture is expected to provide new insights for students and lecturers at FISIP Undip on the importance of understanding ethnic and religious politics in the global context. This knowledge is not only relevant for academic studies but also important in shaping more inclusive and tolerant strategies and policies in Indonesia.