Aku Gelisah, Aku Bertanya, Islam Menjawab: Finding the Meaning of Life Through ITS Book Talks

Surabaya — The Library of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) is once again hosting the Book Talks program as a forum for discussion and the sharing of insights through books. This time, Book Talks features the book titled “Aku Gelisah, Aku Bertanya, Islam Menjawab: Jawaban Islam atas Pertanyaan-Pertanyaan Hakikat” by Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Abdullah Shahab, M.Sc., a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at ITS. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in a hybrid format at the Creative Co-Working Space (CCWS) on the 1st floor of the ITS Library and via Zoom.

During this event, Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Abdullah Shahab, M.Sc., appeared as the author and shared insights into the background and ideas presented in his book. Meanwhile, the book discussion session featured Marzuki Imron, S.T., an ITS Mechanical Engineering alumnus widely known as Ustad Naruto. The discussion was led by Imam Safawi Ahmad, S.Sos., M.Si., a lecturer in the Department of Actuarial Science at ITS, who served as the moderator.

The book under discussion raises various fundamental questions that frequently arise in human life. Through an Islamic perspective, the discussion encourages participants not only to seek answers to their various concerns and questions about life, but also to reflect on how religion can serve as one perspective for understanding the meaning, purpose, and nature of life.

This event serves as a forum for the academic community and participants to bring together intellectual discourse, reflection, and Islamic values through open discussion. By featuring authors and discussants with diverse academic backgrounds and experiences, participants have the opportunity to examine the book’s content from various perspectives.

The Book Talks were attended by approximately 50 participants, both in person and online. The discussion was interactive, with many participants asking questions and actively participating in the conversation. The various questions raised played an important role in enriching the discussion about life and how questions of existence can be viewed from an Islamic perspective.

To enhance participants’ comfort, the ITS Library also provided free snacks throughout the event. In addition, participants who actively asked questions or joined in discussions had the opportunity to win door prizes from the organizing committee.

Through its Book Talks series, the ITS Library continues to strive to position the library not only as a source of information, but also as a space for meeting, discussing, exchanging ideas, and reflecting. This initiative is expected to foster a culture of reading while creating opportunities for dialogue that enrich the perspectives of the ITS academic community.