Expanding Horizons: A Glimpse into the Rich Tapestry of Islamic Psychology

By Muammar Hadi Marzuki

GOMBAK, 24 April 2024: The Psychology Students’ Association (PSYCSTA) embarked on a program to broaden their understanding of psychology in Indonesia back in December 2023 that was successful, according to its former president and participant.

The former President of (PSYCSTA), Nur Maisarah Kamalhisham, mentioned that the goal of the program was to explore Islamic psychology with experts of the subject, the professors at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta’s Fakultas Psikologi (UMS).

“The program was very successful as we managed to attend a number of classes in Islamic Psychology and other fields while directly interacting with the lecturers and students, she added.

The biggest thing she learned was how much more advanced they were in their research and integration of Islam in Psychology as well as the fact that they have their own faculty and ˜Centre of Islamic Psychology compared to the IIUM.

“I encourage students to explore psychology in different parts of the world because they have different cultures, environmental conditions and challenges where they might even have solutions to problems faced by our own people, she concluded.

“The immersive experience led us through an exploration akin to 100,000 steps, unraveling new dimensions and perspectives within the expansive field of psychology, said final year participant, Siti Hajar.

She added that the program effectively showcased the extensive variety within psychology, elevating their awareness and expanding their horizons beyond academic confines.

“One striking aspect of the program was its emphasis on indigenous psychology, a field which is intriguing, especially for Malaysian students, where similar ethnic diversity exists but lacks attention within academic realms, she explained.

Siti also mentioned that as a multiracial country, the program illuminated many potential benefits and hinted at the untapped opportunities for cross-cultural exploration within the realm of psychology.

“The unique practices in Indonesia provided a deeper understanding of how psychology manifests in different cultural contexts and this exposure also facilitated a broader perspective on the potential applications of psychology, she added.

According to her, the highlight of the trip was the opportunity to connect with psychology students in Indonesia who shared a similar passion for the field which fostered a sense of camaraderie, reinforcing their shared pursuit of psychological knowledge.

“From cultural nuances to distinct approaches, the journey provided a comprehensive view of the field, instilling a newfound appreciation for its complexity and the endless possibilities, she said.

Siti is optimistic and hopes that their shared commitment in advancing the field would make way for continuous collaborative efforts and growth from both sides.

“The program successfully achieved its goal of expanding the students’ view of psychology, unraveling layers of complexity and diversity within the field, she concluded. ***