ULM Students Create AI-Based Islamic App, Creating a Civilized Digital Discussion Space
Banjarmasin – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has once again demonstrated its commitment to integrating technology and Islamic values through its students’ innovative work. The ULM delegation, participating in the Qur’an Computer Application Design competition at the XVIII National Student Qur’an Recitation Competition (MTQMN), introduced an innovation called “Istifta,” an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Islamic discussion platform that emphasizes ethics and scientific integrity in interactions in the digital space.
Created by a team of ULM students led by Azka Nabil Taqi, the Istifta app is a response to the growing phenomenon of social media, which is often marred by negative debates, misinformation, and hate speech against clerics and religious figures. Through this app, the ULM team aims to create a healthy, scientific, and civil discussion space.
“The AI in Istifta has two main roles,” explained Azka. “First, it provides instant answers to urgent user questions. Second, it functions as a moderator, keeping discussions civil and within the bounds of scientific knowledge,” he said.
Furthermore, Istifta is equipped with a sensitivity marking system that displays a red box when a response is deemed sensitive or has the potential to cause misunderstanding. This feature demonstrates the developer’s moral responsibility to maintain the quality of religious dialogue online.
The application development process took two months, encompassing the design phase, system development, and promotion to various Islamic missionary communities. With a concept that adapts to the digital era, the ULM team hopes Istifta can become a real solution for maintaining ethical discussion and strengthening technology-based Islamic literacy.
“We hope this application will not only be a competition entry, but also a real contribution from ULM to the digital community by upholding ethics and morals in discussions,” added Azka.
The application design competition at the XVIII MTQMN will take place on Wednesday (October 8, 2025), and the ULM team is optimistic that Istifta will reach the top three nationally. The presence of this work emphasizes the role of Lambung Mangkurat University as a university that not only excels in the development of science and technology, but is also committed to forming a young generation that is moral, creative, and able to answer the challenges of the times with valuable and civilized solutions.
