FSH Online, Semarang, Indonesia — As societies undergo rapid social and technological change, Islamic family law faces a critical question: how can enduring Sharia principles respond to evolving family structures, social expectations, and contemporary legal challenges?
This question took centre stage at the second Walisongo International Conference of Sharia and Law (WICSHLAW 2nd), held on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the Theatre Room, fourth floor of the Kiai Saleh Darat Building, UIN Walisongo Semarang. The conference brought together 150 students to discuss the future of Sharia and law amid global transformation.
The event was officially opened by Prof. Dr. H. Imam Yahya, M.Ag., Vice Rector I of UIN Walisongo, as keynote speaker. Dr. H. Tolkah, M.A., Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH), delivered the welcoming remarks.
Under the main theme, “Sharia in a Disruptive World: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts, Economic Transformation, and Artificial Intelligence for Global Sustainability,” the conference examined how Islamic legal thought can remain relevant without losing its foundational principles.
One of the central discussions was delivered by Prof. Madya Datin Dr. Rafeah Saidon, Professor of Islamic Law at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. Her presentation, “Islamic Family Law in a Disruptive Modern World: Navigating Tensions between Shariah Principles and Contemporary Family Norms,” addressed the tensions that can emerge when established religious principles meet changing social realities.
Family law is closely connected to everyday life, including marriage, parental responsibilities, children’s welfare, and the protection of family members. As social expectations change, legal institutions must consider how rules are interpreted and applied while maintaining their ethical and religious foundations.
Rafeah Saidon’s published research offers relevant context for this discussion. In a 2015 article on state intervention in family matters from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence, she and her co-authors examined the basis and limits of government involvement in family life. The study highlights a continuing legal question: how can public authority protect family welfare while respecting the integrity of family relationships?
This perspective is particularly important in contemporary debates, where legal protection, individual rights, social responsibility, and religious values may intersect. Rather than treating tradition and modernity as necessarily opposing forces, the discussion invites legal scholars to examine how Islamic jurisprudence can respond thoughtfully to emerging challenges.
The conference also featured Selin Aydin, M.A., Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor at the House of Representatives in Berlin, Germany, who addressed inclusion and participation. Prof. Dr. Muhyar Fanani, M.Ag., Professor of Law and Islamic Philosophy at UIN Walisongo’s postgraduate programme, discussed the integration of Sharia values into Indonesia’s legal system.
Through these perspectives, WICSHLAW 2nd created a space for students to engage with legal questions that cross national and disciplinary boundaries. The discussion of Islamic family law underscored the importance of rigorous interpretation, social awareness, and a commitment to human welfare.
For future legal professionals, the challenge is not simply to understand legal principles, but also to consider how those principles can guide fair and responsible responses to a changing world.
