The Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to contributing to society through a service program focused on strengthening religiosity based on local wisdom.
The program was carried out in Tawangsari Village, Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, on July 18, under the title “Synergy Between the Community and the Faculty of Philosophy UGM in Strengthening Religiosity Based on Local Wisdom in Tawangsari Village, Purbalingga, Central Java.”
“People of Tawangsari possess strong religious character. Its application needs to be linked with positive relationships across various sectors with other people,” said Fitri Alfariz, S.Fil., M.Phil., the head of the service team, which also included Prof. Dr. Lasiyo, M.A., M.M., and Dela Khoirul Ainia, S.Fil., M.Phil.
She emphasized the importance of integrating religiosity with local wisdom in community life. Strengthening religiosity based on local wisdom seeks to enhance religious beliefs and practices while respecting local traditions and culture.
In Tawangsari Village, religious activities such as recitations (pengajian), tahlilan, and yasinan have become an integral part of daily life. However, with the passage of time, the synergy between these traditions and religious values needs to be strengthened to maintain the social and spiritual harmony of the community.
The service program aims to increase synergy between UGM’s Faculty of Philosophy and the Tawangsari community, as well as to provide a deeper understanding of religion using a local wisdom approach. Various methods were employed during the program, such as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with community leaders and socialization of the acculturation between religion and local culture.
One of the main outcomes of this program was the establishment of the religious community “Usman Janatin,” named after a local hero from the village. This community is expected to foster unity within the community while also serving as a platform to deepen the understanding of religiosity based on local wisdom.
The positive impact of the program has been felt by the local residents. They not only gained new insights into religious philosophy and local wisdom but also felt more motivated to actively participate in activities that enhance the quality of their social and spiritual lives. Moreover, this program could potentially serve as a model for other villages in Purbalingga Regency.
The Head of Jatisaba Village, Endah Herni Untari, ST, expressed appreciation for the program and hoped it could be held monthly in the village. She also thanked the Faculty of Philosophy for their support, including the provision of facilities and infrastructure.
This initiative will continue, involving all segments of the community, including the village government, community leaders, and youth organizations (karang taruna). The Faculty of Philosophy at UGM hopes that through this synergy, the values of religiosity based on local wisdom will become stronger amid the influences of global culture and ideologies.