Humanity First Indonesia hosts Global Telethon 2026 from MTA Studio
Addressing a crucial issue amid pressing global challenges, Humanity First Indonesia organised the Global Telethon Humanity First International 2026. This annual event, a vital part of their global fundraising initiatives, was broadcast live from the MTA Indonesia Studio Building in Jakarta on 10 May 2026.
This year’s Global Telethon highlights the increasingly urgent need for global food security, which is heavily impacted by climate change, geopolitical dynamics and rising social vulnerabilities.
The event was held under the theme “Food Security: The Role of Religious Communities in Food Security Readiness against the Threat of a Global Food Crisis.” The discussions were divided into three main segments, bringing together national figures, academics, humanitarian activists and representatives from various interfaith communities.
The first segment, titled “The Relationship of Geopolitical Issues to Food Security and the Readiness of Religious Group Communities”, featured prominent speakers including Kandali Achmad Lubis as Chairman of Humanity First Indonesia, Fuad Fanani, PhD, as Chief Expert at the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia (KSP RI), Mukhibullah as National Secretary of the Gusdurian Network and Ahmad Masihuddin as Vice Chairman of Humanity First Indonesia.
The dialogue then proceeded to the second segment, which focused on “Food Security Readiness for Religious Groups in Indonesia.” During an intermission in this segment, a live session was held with the Hasanah Kautsar Orphanage, which is supported by Humanity First’s Orphancare programme. In this session, Tazkiyah Firdausi, a staff member from Hasanah Kautsar Orphanage, shared the success stories of their self-sustained food security programmes implemented at the orphanage, ranging from hydroponic cultivation to layers (egg-laying hens) and catfish farming.
Meanwhile, the third segment specifically discussed “The Role of Women’s Religious Communities in Preparing for Food Security.” This session emphasised the pivotal role of women as the “heart” of food security initiatives, featuring esteemed speakers: Prof Dr Siti Aisyah Bakrie, MPd as Sadr Lajna Imaillah Indonesia, Prof Musdah Mulia as Founder of ICRP, and Ms Soraya Maria as Head of the Creative Department of Humanity First Indonesia.
To conclude the event, Zaki Firdaus, MT, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Humanity First Indonesia, delivered the closing statement. Through the Global Telethon 2026, Humanity First International and Humanity First Indonesia aim to foster public awareness, strengthen humanitarian solidarity and encourage impactful cross-community collaborations to address the challenges of the global food crisis in the future.
Student Mini-Workshop promotes interfaith dialogue for peace education
The Paramadina Center for Religion and Philosophy (PCRP), in collaboration with Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Indonesia, hosted a student mini-workshop titled “Interfaith Dialogue as a Peace Education Strategy in Higher Education” at Paramadina University, Jakarta, on 25 May 2026.
Attended by numerous academics, students and central board members of Jamaat Indonesia, this forum served as a follow-up to a previous cross-campus student meeting held at Kampus Mubarak. It aimed to strengthen commitments to interfaith dialogue amid rising social and religious polarisation.
The event featured a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers, including the Rector of Paramadina University, Prof Didik J Rachbini, PhD; the Secretary-General of PCRP, Swary Utami Dewi, MA; Dr Budhy Munawar Rachman and Mln Harpan Ahmad, MBsy. The intensive discussions highlighted the importance of dialogue-based peace education, the challenges of diversity in the public sphere and strategies for fostering a culture of openness among the younger generation.
In his opening remarks, Prof Didik J Rachbini emphasised that ethnic, cultural and religious diversity must be viewed as an integral part of Indonesia’s grand vision for the future. Echoing this sentiment, PCRP Secretary-General Swary Utami Dewi pointed out that a pluralistic society deeply requires spaces for dialogue to prevent diversity from shifting into social or political tensions, while stressing that true peace cannot be achieved without collective dialogue and action.
Concluding the academic perspectives, Dr Budhy Munawar Rachman remarked that a fear of engaging in dialogue reflects an exclusive and rigid approach to religion. He underscored that a firm and mature faith will always remain open to diverse cross-perspective conversations.