Shinta Maharani, Jakarta – Thousands of Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) students in Yogyakarta move lectures from classrooms to the street as lecturers support students' peaceful protests against the government. Students are joining the protest rally at the intersection of the Kilometer 0 milepost in Yogyakarta on Tuesday to mark the two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration.
The official campus support was outlined under the circular signed by the Vice Rector for Student, Islamic, and Alumni Affairs, Nurjihad. Circulating on social media since Monday, the document urges faculty leaders to coordinate and facilitate the peaceful rally of students, including by giving them alternative assignments or excusing their absence.
"It is aimed to allow space for students to express themselves and learn outside the classroom, one of which is by participating in peaceful actions," said Nurjihad when contacted via WhatsApp, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The circular emphasized that transferring lectures to mass protests is part of social sensitivity, national responsibility, and reflecting the Islamic values of rahmatan lil 'alamin (grace for all).
Concern for societal issues and love for the homeland are cited as part of the ulil albab characters that the campus seeks to cultivate in its students.
Professor joins students at the Kilometer 0 rally
Professor of Communication Science at the Faculty of Psychology and Cultural Social Sciences at UII, Masduki, is one of the lecturers facilitating the student protest. He opted to join his class rallying from the Yogyakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) to the protest site.
"I canceled class and asked students to join the rally," said Masduki.
In a WhatsApp message sent a day before the protest, he urged his students to seize this moment to express their criticism against Prabowo-Gibran's government, which he deems authoritarian and militaristic. To mark attendance, he asked students to upload photos of their participation in the rally.
The rectorate's support statement was issued after the independent alliance UII Bergerak held a series of consolidations.
UII Bergerak representative, Nuhizzulhaq, said the protest is triggered by deep concerns regarding the current national leadership style. All student organizations at UII, including the Student Executive Board (LEM), agreed to unite after consolidating at the UII Roundabout and penned a letter to the rectorate.
"The rectorate's support circular and the official advice to move classes were issued on Monday afternoon," said Nuhizzulhaq.
What are the protest demands?
In a simultaneous action with civil society movements and alliances from other universities – such as UGM, UNY, UPN, UAD, UMY, and Forum Cik Di Tiro – around a thousand UII students across nine faculties are confirmed to take to the streets, bringing seven main demands:
1. Total overhaul of forest fire management in Kalimantan and acceleration of recovery for affected communities.
2. Moratorium and evaluation of the Free Nutritious Meal and the Red and White Village Cooperative programs.
3. Ending militarism in civil domains and enforcing the law for gross human rights violators.
4. Transparency in the management of subsidized fuel.
5. Restructuring and streamlining the bloated cabinet.
6. Improving the president's communication style, deemed often belittling the people.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2121924/yogyakarta-protest-how-university-supports-student-rall