Alimat held a meeting to design a KUPI Fatwa Methodology Module to be implemented in Islamic universities in Indonesia. This activity was supported by the KUPI Deliberative Assembly (MM KUPI) and in collaboration with the PSGA Forum and Komnas Perempuan. The event took place at the Friendship Meeting Room of Komnas Perempuan, Jakarta, on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
The meeting was attended by the Alimat board, namely Iklilah Muzayyanah as Chairperson, Alimatul Qibtiyah as Secretary who also led the discussion forum, and Fitria Villa Sahara as Treasurer. Also present were relevant figures such as Masruchah as Secretary of MM KUPI, Maria Ulfah Anshor from the member element, Chief Commissioner of Komnas Perempuan Andy Yentriyani, Chairperson of the PSGA Forum Dr. Istiadah, as well as representatives from various Islamic Religious Universities (PTKI), including PSGA UIN Sultan Syarief Kasim Riau, PSGA UIN Fatmawati Soekarno Bengkulu, PSGA UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, PSGA UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, PSGA UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, PSGA UIN Alauddin Makassar, and PSGA UIN Mataram.
Following KUPI 2, Alimat, as one of the five supporting institutions of KUPI, was mandated to strengthen the implementation of gender justice values within the university context. As an organization established by the National Commission on Violence Against Women with the vision of “Realizing an Indonesian family structure that is just and gender-equitable,” Alimat contributes to the implementation of KUPI fatwas and strengthens the authority of female religious scholars in the PTKI environment.
This year, Alimat took its first steps by developing the KUPI Fatwa Methodology and KUPI Trilogy within the university environment through the creation of a Training Module. This module aims to strengthen a curriculum with a gender justice perspective. The discussions at this meeting were designed to gather input and identify the needs of PTKI in order to realize Gender-Responsive Higher Education based on issues related to Muslim women. Additionally, the meeting focused on formulating the curriculum and key content outlines to be included in the modules, as well as strengthening the synergy of the network of female religious scholars based in higher education institutions alongside Alimat, the National Commission on Women (Komnas Perempuan), and the PSGA.
Since the first KUPI was held at the Kebon Jambu Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon, West Java, in 2017, and the second KUPI at the Hasyim Asy’ari Islamic Boarding School in Bangsri, Jepara, Central Java, in 2022, KUPI has produced eight Religious Opinions (fatwas).
With its unique methodological approach, KUPI 1 produced three fatwas on, first, sexual violence; second, child marriage; and third, environmental destruction.
Meanwhile, KUPI 2 produced five fatwas, namely: first, the marginalization of women in protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from the danger of violence in the name of religion; Second, Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability and Women’s Safety. Third, Protection of Women from the Danger of Forced Marriage.
Fourth, Protection of Women’s Lives from the Danger of Pregnancy Resulting from Rape. Fifth, Protection of Women from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) without medical reasons.
These eight fatwas were developed through a structured methodological process, emphasizing the mubadalah (reciprocity) approach, true justice, and ma’ruf. In the process, KUPI fatwas were discovered through interactive dialogue that explored experiences and raised the voices of women who were rarely heard, either as survivors or as companions of victims. Women’s voices and experiences were understood and analyzed by female scholars through a lengthy and gradual process in the form of halaqah (study circles) at the local to national levels. The final determination was made through a Religious Consultation during the congress (KUPI), held every five years.
Within the scope of PTKI, Alimat serves as a partner of PSGA in strengthening Islamic knowledge aligned with the KUPI Trilogy. Through female scholars who also work as lecturers, researchers, and community servants, PTKI is expected to become a Gender-Responsive Higher Education Institution (PTRG). By developing the KUPI fatwa methodology and implementing the KUPI Trilogy on campus, female scholars in higher education can become stronger in formulating scientific breakthroughs with a perspective of women’s justice.
This strategic step also serves as a follow-up to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Advocacy for Strengthening Human Rights with a Gender Perspective within Families, signed jointly with the National Commission on Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the PSGA Forum in September 2024. The Training Module on Strengthening the KUPI Fatwa Methodology currently under development is expected to realize Gender-Responsive Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia. []