Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesia is set to host the 23rd Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies (AICIS) from 1 to 4 February 2024 in Central Java capital of Semarang, focusing on the crucial role of religions, particularly Islam, in addressing global humanitarian challenges. "This year's AICIS will be held to redefine the role of religions, especially Islam, in guiding humans to deal with contemporary humanitarian challenges at the global level," said Wibowo Prasetyo, a special staff member of the Minister of Religious , on Monday (29/1/2024). Prasetyo emphasized that the 23rd AICIS aims to bring together international academics, researchers, and religious figures to discuss  the role of religions in solidifying nationalism, responding to justice and equality crises, gender issues, people's welfare, and climate change. During the conference, the organizing committee is set to present the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity to Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, among others, antaranews.com reported. The conference will coincide with the International Day of Human Fraternity on 4 February 2024, established by the United Nations in 2020 following the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb, and Pope Francis. Ahmad Zainul Hamdi, the Director of Islamic universities at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said that the organizing committee has received a record-breaking 1,957 academic papers from 11 countries, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, and Morocco. (mg/inp/pr/nm)