How can Qur'anic studies develop in a critical and open way without losing the richness of the Islamic intellectual tradition? This question was one of the main points of discussion at the talk show titled "Decolonizing Quranic Studies: Reclaiming Traditions, Opening Dialogues," which closed the 2026 Qur'anic Sciences and Exegesis (IAT) Festival in the Convention Hall, 2nd Floor, of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta on Thursday (10/15/2026).

Featuring Dr. Katrin Bandel of Sanata Dharma University and Prof. Dr. Moch. Nur Ichwan, S.Ag., M.A., Director of the Graduate School at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, the talk show invited participants to critically examine the dominance of certain perspectives in Qur'anic studies while opening a space for equal dialogue among diverse intellectual traditions. The event, moderated by Imas Lu'ul Jannah, M.A., of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, drew about 100 participants.

In her presentation, Katrin Bandel explained that decolonization cannot be understood merely as liberation from physical and political colonization. The process also includes efforts to recognize the legacy of colonialism that still shapes mindsets, culture, social relations, and even the way a society sees itself.

In her view, colonialism can continue in more complex forms through neocolonialism and global capitalism. These unequal relations also shape how postcolonial societies are viewed, including through Eurocentrism, feelings of inferiority, and the assumption that Western standards of modernity are a universal measure of progress.

In the context of Qur'anic studies, Katrin highlighted several issues, ranging from the Orientalist tradition that treats Islam and Muslim societies as objects of study, to Islamophobic discourse, to apologetic tendencies that keep Muslims constantly on the defensive against outside criticism.

She also stressed the importance of critiquing the view that modern science is the only measure of truth in understanding the verses of the Qur'an. For this reason, decolonization needs to move beyond criticism of Orientalism and academic curriculum reform, toward concrete practices that position the Qur'an as an alternative source of knowledge in responding to contemporary problems.

Meanwhile, Prof. Moch. Nur Ichwan developed the discussion through the idea of interrelational decoloniality. In his presentation, titled "Beyond Epistemic Decolonization and Apologetics: Interrelational Decoloniality in Qur'anic Studies," he offered a framework for building relationships among various intellectual traditions that are equal, open, and mutually transformative.

In his view, the decolonization of knowledge should not simply reverse the hierarchy by replacing Western intellectual dominance with the absolute dominance of Islamic authority. Instead, the effort needs to avoid the assumption that one civilizational tradition holds truth exclusively because of its origins.

Prof. Ichwan explained that coloniality does not end when physical colonization ends. It can persist through power structures, the dominance of knowledge, and the social relations that shape modern life. In Qur'anic studies, this issue relates to how historical-critical methods, linguistic and philological analysis, literary studies, and phenomenological approaches are used and brought into conversation with the heritage of exegesis and the Qur'anic sciences.

He emphasized that religious commitment needs to be distinguished from apologetic reasoning whose sole aim is to defend doctrine from criticism. From this perspective, Qur'anic studies should make room for critical academic inquiry while still respecting the Islamic intellectual tradition.

The idea of interrelational decoloniality also positions dialogue as a dynamic and multidirectional epistemological principle. The Islamic intellectual tradition can learn from other traditions without losing its critical edge, just as openness to the knowledge of other civilizations was once reflected in the history of Islamic scholarship, including in the works of Al-Biruni and Ibn Khaldun.

Through both presentations, the talk show affirmed the importance of building Qur'anic studies that do not fall into the dominance of a single perspective, the romanticization of one's own tradition, or religious defensiveness that shuts down criticism. A critical, reflective, and dialogical approach is needed so that Qur'anic studies continue to grow and remain relevant in addressing developments in scholarship and the problems of contemporary society.

The talk show closed the 2026 IAT Festival, which ran from October 12-15, 2026. Under the main theme "Bridging Decolonizing Quranic Studies toward a Dialogical Future," the event was designed as an academic space to reflect on Qur'anic studies, strengthen cross-disciplinary dialogue, and encourage new perspectives and research that are critical, reflective, and responsive to global scholarly developments without losing the richness of the Islamic intellectual tradition.

The 2026 IAT Festival also featured a range of competitions involving students, santri (Islamic boarding school students), university students, and the general public. The competitions included Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur'an (MTQ, Qur'an recitation), Musabaqah Fahmil Qur'an (MFQ, Qur'an comprehension), Musabaqah Syarhil Qur'an (MSQ, Qur'anic exposition), Musabaqah Hifdzil Qur'an (MHQ, Qur'an memorization), Musabaqah Qiraatil Kutub (MQK, classical text reading), and a Call for Paper (CFP), in individual or group categories depending on the type of competition.

The 2026 IAT Festival reflects UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to developing an Islamic scholarly tradition that engages with contemporary thought. By combining religious competitions with academic forums, the event serves not only as a venue for developing participants' potential but also as a wider space for exchanging ideas to enrich the study of the Qur'an and exegesis in a changing global society. (humassk)