The first-ever national congress of women ulema, and the world’s first, organizers claim, was held from Tuesday to Thursday in Cirebon, a major area of Islamic heritage from which Islam spread to West Java. The host, in a province with one of the highest numbers of discriminatory bylaws in the country, was Nyai Masriyah Amva, leader of Kebon Jambu Al Islamy boarding school, which has about 1,000 male and female santri (students.)

Amid the rise in political tension, news of the congress brings fervent hope, though the term “ulema perempuan” sounds strange — people are more familiar with fiery female preachers, the ustadzah, female teachers of Islam, or the revered nyai, wives of the kyai or male pesantren leaders.

Indonesia’s congress presented to a restless nation and the world the concept behind women ulema — female, but also male, Muslims with “a deep knowledge, fear of God (integrity), noble personalities, a developed sense of justice and [who] act to bring blessings upon the whole world.”