From Cirebon to the World: Promoting SDGs through Ramadhan-Based Educational Diplomacy
Cirebon, March, 1st, 2025 — The International Office and Partnership of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC) proudly presented Ramadhan Excellence 2025, an international program that transformed the holy month into a platform for diplomacy, intercultural education, and youth creativity. With participants from various nations, this initiative served as a model for how Ramadhan can become a dynamic tool for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the fields of inclusive education, global partnerships, and reduced inequality.
The program received full appreciation and encouragement from Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., Director of the International Office and Partnership UIN SSC. “We are not just celebrating Ramadhan,” he emphasized, “we are building global bridges through it. This is diplomacy rooted in sincerity, knowledge, and collaborative storytelling.” The initiative was executed under the leadership of Farah Syifa, and shaped by a core team including Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir, Bryan Setiaji, and Lukman Anwar Ismail.
A key strength of Ramadhan Excellence 2025 lies in its intercultural composition. International students from the Philippines—Tony Samula Guiaman and Raquema B. Moten—and from Thailand—Asia Samang, Balkis Song, Adam Saraeh, and Safi’e Lauree—actively participated as speakers, and storytellers. Their presence reaffirmed UIN SSC’s commitment to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring inclusive student engagement and intercultural literacy at the heart of its programs.
One of the most ambitious components of the initiative was Tamyiz, a 41-episode Islamic fiction series that brought together local and international students as cast and creators. The series weaved together themes of identity, ethics, spiritual crisis, and personal growth—mirroring challenges faced by youth in a diverse world. With its soul-driven storyline and collaborative production, Tamyiz became an educational and artistic diplomacy project in itself—delivering narratives that transcend language, culture, and origin.
Complementing the cinematic effort was Soulink, a series of 20 Instagram story episodes that offered reflections on sincerity, awareness, and Ramadhan’s deeper meanings. It utilized digital storytelling as a tool to promote SDG 4 (Quality Education), allowing students to explore emotional intelligence, introspection, and peer-led narrative learning in bite-sized formats.
Meanwhile, the Global Ramadhan podcast featured six episodes of international students sharing how Ramadhan is observed in their home countries. These intercultural dialogues fostered mutual understanding, respect, and the idea that spiritual experiences—while unique—can unite rather than divide. The podcast embodied the practice of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating how higher education institutions can connect voices across continents to build shared values.
Altogether, Ramadhan Excellence 2025 stood not only as a commemoration of faith but also as a diplomatic endeavor rooted in knowledge-sharing, youth engagement, and the global vision of Islamic higher education. From Cirebon to the world, UIN SSC has shown that Ramadhan can be a light that guides not only hearts—but also educational diplomacy, cultural understanding, and sustainable global collaboration.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir