Graduate students of the Master’s Program in Islamic Economics (MES) played a strategic role in strengthening national identity through a National Talk Show and Book Review held at the Auditorium of the Mayor’s Office of Palu on Monday (January 12, 2026).

The event, themed “Strengthening National Identity through Culture and Religious Moderation among the Younger Generation,” was attended by senior high school students and university students from across Palu City. The program was officially opened by the Mayor of Palu, represented by the Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development, Rahmat Mustafa, S.STP., M.Si.

One of the main speakers at the event was Abdurahman, S.E., C.Ps., a graduate student of the Master’s Program in Islamic Economics at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, an author, and a native of Sigi Regency. His participation reflected the tangible contribution of young academics in fostering an inclusive national discourse rooted in local cultural values.

In his presentation, Abdurahman emphasized that strengthening national identity must begin with the awareness of the younger generation to understand, preserve, and respect cultural heritage and the nation’s diversity. He further underlined that religious moderation should not remain merely a conceptual discourse, but must be translated into attitudes, creative works, and concrete contributions within society.

In addition to Abdurahman, the event also featured Moh. Rifaldi, S.Pd., M.Pd., Gr., a Millennial Moderation Agent of Central Sulawesi and a teacher at MAN 2 Palu, as well as Opic Delian Alindra, S.H., a regional language preservation advocate and the author of the Dampelas Language Dictionary. The speakers collectively agreed that cultural literacy and the preservation of regional languages constitute essential foundations for maintaining national identity amid the rapid currents of globalization.

Through interactive dialogue and book discussions, the event is expected to foster greater awareness among young people to actively nurture diversity and strengthen national identity through academic engagement, literacy initiatives, and cultural dialogue.