GEMA-UIN Malang was crowded with foreign and local students of East Java Exploration (EJx) on Friday, July 5. This event was intended to support the East Java government's cooperation with Western Australia through Western Australia-East Java University Consortium (WAIJUC). It was conducted by involving 10 East Java universities and 5 Australian universities in cooperation.

On behalf of EJx, UIN Malang presented a warm discussion on gender and radicalism in Islamic perspective. Before the discussion started, the event was opened with a traditional dance performance by Sanggar Srikandi, Faculty of Humanities, UIN Malang. Through this performance, the foreign participants were expected to learn and understand East Javanese cultures.
Not only watching the performance, but the participants were also excited to practice this traditional dance named Tari Topeng. They learned to move their body and follow the traditional song played. Besides, the performers continued by explaining the philosophy of the dance and the character of the mask or topeng which expresses arrogance.

Continuing the agenda, UIN Malang gave a chance for Georgia, the representative of Australian students, to give her speech, “We’d like to deliver a massive thanks for giving us chance to learn cultures more through this event,” said Georgia.
Through this event, the vice rector of UIN Malang, Dr. M. Zainuddin, MA., also presented the pleasure to welcome the EJx participants warmly. He also introduced the term ‘Ulul Albab’ as the goal of UIN Malang in Islamic education, “UIN Malang presents a characteristic of moderate Islam which represents rahmatan lil alamin,” he said.

The discussion on gender and radicalism was successfully conducted, involving the experts of these topics such as Dr. Istiadah, M.A, Ulfah Muhayani, MPP and Dr. Sudirman M.A. After taking place in UIN Malang, the event will be continued by a Malang City Tour at noon. Finally, this event is expected to bring positive interculturality for students in both countries.

Reporter: Fatimatuz Zahro