By: Zahra Amin (Director of mubadalah.id)
I begin this brief account of my activities in Tulungagung with a beautiful quote from Martin Luther King Jr.:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
This sentence ignited the hope that united us all in the postgraduate hall of UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah (UIN Satu) Tulungagung. We are committed to creating a disability-friendly campus and a Tulungagung without stigma.
For two days, Monday–Tuesday, 22–23 September 2025, the Fahmina Foundation and Media Mubadalah collaborated with LP2M UIN Satu Tulungagung to hold a studium generale entitled “The Role of Female Scholars in Fulfilling the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The event was followed by a consolidation of local female scholars in Tulungagung. Separately, Media Mubadalah also held a training session on writing popular articles and creative content on disability issues.
Not only did we involve students, but we also invited friends with disabilities to actively participate. Due to limitations, only people with physical disabilities were able to participate at this time. However, this small step paved the way for us to work together to identify the needs of people with disabilities in Tulungagung and its surroundings.
Perhaps what we are doing is not much, but I feel happy, moved, and proud to see the enthusiasm of the participants. Whether during the general studies, the consolidation of female scholars, or the Mubadalah writing training, that enthusiasm was palpable. Isna, Tegar, and a female participant from the creative content class shared their messages and impressions. Honestly, they said that this activity made them more aware of disability issues and trained their empathy to know how to treat their disabled friends.
One of the most touching moments was when Tegar, a disabled participant, tried to express his gratitude. He stuttered, his voice was soft, but full of sincerity. “Thank you for your acceptance and this opportunity,” he said. I was speechless, silent, and held back my emotions. How little access and opportunity there is for people with disabilities to learn and work with us. It feels so unfair that we still discriminate against them simply because of the physical and social barriers they face.
There is also the story of Natalia, a female participant with a disability who is still in high school at SLB Muhammadiyah Jombang. She wrote about her bitter experience of being bullied in primary school because she could not walk properly and had to use assistive devices. I couldn’t bring myself to finish reading her writing. What a heavy burden she has carried since childhood. However, Natalia has managed to survive to this day, writing her story with extraordinary courage. I can only say to her: “You are amazing. Keep writing, so that the world knows about the injustices that people with disabilities still experience, especially women with disabilities who face multiple layers of injustice as a vulnerable group.”
These are just one or two stories. There are many other stories to be explored. My hope is that the community and network of female scholars in Tulungagung will continue to raise awareness about disability issues. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, darkness can only be dispelled with light, and hatred can only be fought with love.
I would like to express my gratitude to the entire academic community of UIN Satu Tulungagung, LP2M, Mrs. Lailatuzz Zuhriyah, Ms. Nyai Arifah Millati, Ms. Nyai Halimatus Sa’diyah RFP, as well as the entire committee and participants. In particular, I would like to thank KH. Marzuki Rais (Chair of the Fahmina Foundation), Ms. Roziqoh Sukardi (Secretary of the Fahmina Foundation), Mrs. Nyai Nur Rofiah (MM KUPI), Mrs. Fatimah Asri (National Commission on Disability), and Mrs. Umy Zahro (PSGAD UIN Satu) who were the speakers at the studium generale.
May Allah continue to bless our efforts to strive towards building a just and humane civilisation. []
