YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — Women religious leaders from across Indonesia gathered this week to reflect on the future of a movement that places gender justice and human dignity at the heart of Islamic scholarship.

As it entered its second day on Saturday, the 2025 Halaqah Kubra organised by the Congress of Indonesian Women Ulama (KUPI) moved into focused group discussions examining how the movement should respond to today’s social, political and religious challenges. The forum is being held from Dec. 12 to 14 at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University in Yogyakarta.

The Halaqah Kubra serves as a midpoint reflection ahead of KUPI’s third congress in 2027, bringing together women scholars, activists and community leaders to evaluate past progress and chart a collective path forward.

“The goal is not only to assess where we are, but to ensure that the religious leadership of women remains grounded in real social conditions,” said Iklilah Fajriyah Muzayyanah, the forum’s organising chair.

The opening day featured public discussions attended by around 500 participants, whose perspectives — including critical voices — were intentionally invited. Over the following days, about 200 participants are taking part in smaller, intensive discussions structured around four key areas: knowledge, religious authority, movement-building and the practical application of KUPI’s ethical principles.

Participants are examining issues ranging from inequality and access to religious authority to the relationship between civil society initiatives and public policy.

Organisers say the forum reflects KUPI’s commitment to an Islam that speaks to everyday realities and contributes to a more just and humane society as the movement prepares for its next congress.