Medan – On September 25, 2024, Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D., Head of the Master’s Program in English Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Sumatera Utara Medan, was invited as a speaker for the Religious Moderation Training held at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 2 Model Medan. This event aimed to strengthen the understanding and implementation of religious moderation within the educational environment, as part of the effort to foster harmony in Indonesia’s diverse society.
During his session, Maslathif delivered an in-depth explanation of the concept of religious moderation. “Religious moderation teaches us to stay balanced and avoid extremism in religious understanding. This attitude is crucial for maintaining national unity, where diversity is a strength, not a weakness,” Maslathif explained.
The Head of MAN 2 Model Medan, H. Wuri Tamtama Abdi, S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed his gratitude for Maslathif’s willingness to share his knowledge with the students and teachers of the school. “This training is an extraordinary opportunity for us to better understand the importance of religious moderation. Maslathif has provided a comprehensive and relevant perspective on the current challenges of diversity in Indonesia. I hope the students will apply the knowledge gained in their daily lives, so they can become a generation that respects differences and promotes peace,” he said.
One of the students from MAN 2 Model Medan, Siti Aisyah, shared her impressions after attending the training. “I feel deeply inspired by the material presented. This training opened my mind to the importance of being tolerant and not easily influenced by extreme views. I learned that religious moderation is about maintaining balance, which is essential in our diverse environment,” she stated.
Another participant, Ahmad Rizki, noted that the training provided him with a new understanding. “Many of us, as students, may not have fully understood what religious moderation is. Through this training, I’ve gained a better grasp of the importance of respecting differences and avoiding intolerant attitudes. I hope more training sessions like this can be held in the future,” he remarked.
In his closing remarks, Maslathif expressed his appreciation for the enthusiasm of the participants, who actively engaged in discussions and shared their perspectives. “I am very pleased to see the enthusiasm of the students and teachers at MAN 2 Model Medan in participating in this training. I hope that with a better understanding of religious moderation, we can all contribute to creating a more tolerant, harmonious, and peaceful society. Young people, like the students here, play a key role in maintaining the unity of this nation moving forward,” he concluded.
The training concluded successfully with a group photo session involving Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, the teachers, and the participants. Going forward, MAN 2 Model Medan is committed to continuing similar initiatives that support the increased awareness of the importance of religious moderation among the younger generation.