Yogyakarta, March 4, 2026—The FISIPOL Muslim Community raised the theme “Encouraging Steps Towards Actual Change: The Foundation of Islam” in a series of Ramadan events at FISIPOL (RDF) 1448H.
Yusuf Satrio Negoro, a member of the RDF Steering Committee, stated that this theme was chosen in response to current issues related to the erosion of Islamic values. “The background of this year’s RDF is to address various related issues (ecology and government policy) and how Islamic values can provide solutions or become the best values or ethos for resolving environmental damage and other issues,” he said.
For three days, from March 2-4, 2026, RDF held a series of events, ranging from study sessions to a Ramadan market, to realize this theme of change.
In response to recent issues, RDF held three study sessions, inviting various speakers. On the first day, Muhammad Qomarun Najmi (Founder of the Young Farmers School) and Fajri Matahati Muhammadin, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D. (Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, UGM) discussed ecological damage. On the second day, Alfath Indonesia, S.I.P., M.A. (Lecturer at the FISIPOL, UGM) reflected on Islamic values that can provide solutions to problems in the governance system. On the final day, Dr. Media Wahyudi Askar, concluded the series of study sessions with a reflection on the month of Ramadan.
The hope is that students will be inspired to voice existing issues and publicly express their disagreements. Furthermore, FISIPOL students are expected to take the initiative to develop innovations to address these problems within an Islamic framework.
Several communities, such as the Human Initiative Yogyakarta, Sekolah Tani Muda, Nongkinya Gen Z, and LPPM Sintesa, participated in the FISIPOL Ramadan market. Besides serving as an economic platform, the Ramadan market also aims to raise funds. The RDF organized an initiative to distribute takjil (snacks) outside UGM, using funds raised through the RDF.
Yusuf stated that the month of Ramadan should be a moment for change. “We must not let current issues create pessimism, but rather remind ourselves that Ramadan can bring about positive change,” he said. He added that fasting is not just about enduring hunger and thirst; it also trains patience, trust in God, and clarity of thought in responding to existing problems.
The RDF event not only serves as a platform for dialogue but also aims to inspire a collective movement toward sustainability and social responsibility among students. By integrating Islamic values into discussions on ecological and governance issues, the event seeks to empower students to become proactive agents of change in their communities.