World needs prophetic leadership, Indonesian rector says

Prophetic leadership, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ, peace be upon him), is deeply missed, because the world today is witnessing barbaric and repugnant leadership models.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Windows) – The world needs prophetic leadership, the one modeled on the prophethood that upholds values of humanity, truth, equality, and justice, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ, peace be upon him).

The rector of Indonesia’s Universitas Islam As-Syafi’iyah (locally known as UIA), Prof. Dr. H. Masduki Ahmad, SH., MM, made the remarks during the opening of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Festival at the Alawiyah Auditorium on Saturday (June 28, 2025).

Masuduki said prophetic leadership, as exemplified by the Prophet, is deeply missed, because the world today is witnessing barbaric and repugnant leadership models. In Latin terms, this is referred to as homo homini lupus—a wolf to other humans. Or, in Javanese proverbs, ‘adigang, adigung, adi guna’, meaning those who boast of physical strength, positional power, or knowledge to oppress others.

“We see how the leadership of a superpower uses its strength to support a party that clearly violates international law (Israel – ed.) in the war against Iran. Those who claim to champion democracy are, in fact, the ones violating it without shame or guilt,” Masduki explained.

He continued that what we witness is the abandonment of all ethics and democratic principles. Instead, what is practiced is the imposition of will through force and anti-democratic actions. “This is where, I believe, we long for the leadership exemplified by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — leadership that is just, soothing, and not arrogant. This is especially fitting as we commemorate the Islamic New Year 1447 H,” he added.

 

Vibrant event

The festival is a lively, day-long event organized by the faculty in collaboration with the Indonesian Muslim Journalists Association (locally known as its abbreviation PJMI) and other partners.

The event featured various activities, including a workshop on Deep Learning in Education, the launch and discussion of the short story collection ‘Kontrak Politik’ by Ismail Lutan, Putra Gara, and Hamidin Krazan, an exhibition (bazaar), theater performances, poetry readings, and a showcase of fashion of Nusantara (Indonesia).

On this occasion, PJMI Chairman Ismail Lutan stated that the prophetic leadership model longed for by the UIA rector is also the aspiration of his organization.

PJMI Chairman Ismail Lutan explained, bases its journalistic work on the platform of ‘Prophetic Journalism,’ which emulates the four qualities of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: siddiq (truthfulness), amanah (trustworthiness), fatonah (wisdom), and tabligh (conveying the message).

“In Indonesia, prophetic journalism was developed by our senior, Mr. Parni Hadi,” Ismail pointed out.

Parni Hadi is a seasoned journalist who had been a president director of Indonesia’s Antara news agency.

Meanwhile, the Dean of UIA’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Dr. Misbah Fikrianto, stated that the festival is a flagship program aimed at motivating students, teachers, lecturers, and literacy activists to produce innovative, high-quality works.

“This is a breakthrough and a flagship program of the faculty of UIA, which, God willing, will be held annually. The participants include students from various campuses, teachers, lecturers, educational staff, artists, and cultural activists,” Misbah said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window