Indonesia Urges Integration of Religious and Science Education

RRI.CO.ID, Cirebon - Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi’i, called for ending the divide between religious and science education in Cirebon on Sunday, April 19, 2026. The statement was delivered during the first graduation ceremony of Tihamah College of Islamic Education (STIT Tihamah).

The institution is currently undergoing transformation into the Tihamah Institute of Islamic Studies. The event marked an important milestone for its academic and institutional development.

Romo highlighted the persistent dichotomy in education practices. He said separating religious and general sciences is a fundamental mistake that hinders progress.

Before delivering his main message, he affirmed the holistic nature of Islamic teachings. He noted that all branches of knowledge are interconnected within a unified framework.

“The Qur’an encompasses all aspects of life as a whole. Physics, mathematics, and science originate from Allah. There is no reason to separate them from Islamic teachings. Everything is one unified and inseparable entity,” he said.

He stressed that an integrative approach is not merely academic discourse but an urgent necessity. It ensures graduates remain competitive amid rapid technological and industrial changes.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is preparing to improve vocational-oriented education policies. This step aims to equip graduates with practical skills alongside strong religious understanding.

Before delivering his next point, he warned about missed opportunities without skill-based education. He underscored the importance of combining knowledge with real-world competencies.

“If education only focuses on ritual worship without skills, our graduates will lose major opportunities. Islamic boarding schools and madrasahs must begin integrating vocational education,” he said.