FSH NEWS, Jakarta — Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Jaenal Aripin, M.Ag. as Professor in the field of Islamic Law Institutional Studies. In his inaugural scientific oration, he presented the theme “Reconstructing the Epistemology of Religious Court Institutions: From the Colonial Regime toward the Unification of Judicial Power.”

Prof. Jaenal Aripin emphasized that Religious Courts should be positioned as an equal component within Indonesia’s judicial system. This equality concerns institutional dignity, independence, quality of services, and respect for judicial decisions. He also highlighted the need to move beyond formalism toward substantive justice that is responsive to the needs of justice seekers.

He further proposed five directions for the reconstruction of Religious Court institutions: constitutional equality, substantive justice, justice-seeker orientation, transdisciplinary competence, and the development of knowledge-based institutions. These directions reflect the need for Religious Courts to respond to increasingly complex legal matters, including Islamic economic disputes, modern financial instruments, electronic evidence, and commercial dispute resolution.

Prof. Jaenal also stressed that digital transformation in the judiciary should not merely transfer procedures from paper to digital platforms. Instead, digitalization must ensure inclusive access to justice for all citizens, regardless of economic circumstances, physical conditions, or geographical distance. Through this reconstruction, Religious Courts are expected to develop as institutions that integrate Islamic legal values, constitutional principles, professional competence, and knowledge-based judicial practices.