FSH NEWS, Jakarta — Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Ismail Hasani, S.H., M.H. as Professor of Constitutional Law. In his inaugural scientific oration, Prof. Ismail Hasani presented the theme “Constitutional Leadership in National and State Life.”

Prof. Ismail Hasani emphasized that the Constitution is not merely a collection of written norms, but a fundamental agreement that guides national and state life. Therefore, the Constitution requires leadership capable of preserving, interpreting, and developing its values in the practice of state governance. This concept is referred to as constitutional leadership.

He further explained that constitutional supremacy should not be understood solely as the supremacy of the courts. Every state institution and public authority has a constitutional responsibility to assess its actions within constitutional boundaries. The Constitution, therefore, should function not only as a mechanism for correcting violations after decisions are made, but also as a guide before public power is exercised.

In this context, Prof. Ismail introduced academic judgment as an important element of constitutional leadership. Academic judgment enables scholars to examine, criticize, and enrich political and judicial arguments through research, knowledge, and constitutional reasoning. Alongside political judgment and constitutional court judgment, academic judgment contributes to a constitutional dialogue that helps ensure that the exercise of state power remains within constitutional boundaries.

Through his oration, Prof. Ismail emphasized that Constitutional Law extends beyond reading and interpreting constitutional provisions. It also examines how constitutional principles are understood and applied in addressing the evolving challenges of national and state life, positioning the Constitution as both a framework and a guide for the exercise of public power.