Ahmad SM in Summer School, July 3-10 2023 in Jakarta School of Theological Philosophy. Photo by committee.
I’m Ahmad SM, a social movement and peace activist born and raised in Parepare, a small coastal city in South Sulawesi. As a Buginese, my cultural roots have shaped the way I see the world – deeply influencing my values, my way of living, and how I relate to others.
Since 2012, I’ve been based in Yogyakarta, where I’ve spent over a decade working alongside young people on issues close to my heart: social justice, human rights, democracy, and interfaith dialogue. I studied Islamic Theology, focusing on Qur’anic Studies, at the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University. Later, I pursued a master’s degree in Theology at Duta Wacana Christian University – an experience that made me the first Muslim to study theology at that Protestant institution. This path taught me that an encounter is not just a moment – it’s a way of life.
Coming to Yogyakarta opened me up to the richness of human diversity. It became a kind of pilgrimage for me – a place where I met people from all walks of life and deepened my commitment to peacebuilding. I’ve worked in advocacy for victims of violations of Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) and have volunteered in various humanitarian efforts. I always try to bring the values of nonviolence and peace into these spaces, especially with young people.
My motivation is deeply personal. I grew up in a family where diversity was a source of tension, and where domestic violence was present. These early experiences left their mark on me, but they also sparked something deeper: the desire to break cycles of harm and create something better. I believe the pain we inherit doesn’t have to be passed on. Through healing, courage, and hope, we can shape a different future – one rooted in justice and empathy.
Over the years, I’ve also worked as a consultant, facilitator, and speaker – sharing spaces with students, faith communities, civil society organizations, and even in policy discussions. Outside of that, I find joy in reading, writing, watching films, drinking coffee, and digging into research – especially around topics like philosophy, theology, culture, ecology, citizenship, and democracy.
For me, faith is not just doctrine – it’s a long, evolving journey through stillness and chaos in search of meaning, justice, and love that holds space for everyone. Dialogue isn’t just a method for discussion – it’s a way to live: to listen to those who are silenced, to see those who are forgotten, and to speak with courage and care. I believe humanity is not just an idea, it’s a lived experience, one that must be protected, nurtured, and defended.
In 2024, I began actively engaging with Friends Peace Teams–Asia West Pacific, taking part in the Cultures of Justice & Peace and Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Basic, Advanced, and Justice and Peace Facilitators Training. The values I encountered here deeply resonated with what I’ve always believed – that sustainable peace and transformative justice must grow out of our wounds, experiences, and shared hopes.
My time at Peace Place Pati has been both humbling and inspiring. It’s widened my world, and every encounter has been a reminder of why I do this work. At Peace Place, I’ve embraced the simple but powerful conviction that “Peace is Possible.” That message guides me in everything I do.
I also love to travel—it feeds my curiosity and helps me learn from different cultures, histories, and of course, food traditions. Every journey reminds me how much there is to discover, and how much we all have to share when we meet one another with open hearts.
June 2026
Ahmad SM in refresher session in Cultures of Justice & Peace Alternatives to Violence Project Basic–Advanced Training, February 21-29 2024 in Peace Plate Pati, Central Java, Indonesia. Photo by: Nanik.
Joining Aksi Kamisan (Thursday Action) in Tugu Yogyakarta.
Kamisan is a peaceful action that takes place every Thursday. The protest brought together people associated with various cases of human rights abuses, including the mass crimes of 1965-1966, the forced disappearances of human rights activists of 1997-1998, and recent cases such as the 2004 murder of activist Munir Said Thalib. The sign reads, “If your heart trembles at the sight of injustice, you are my friend.”