A proud achievement comes from the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The book Tazkiya Therapy in Islamic Psychoteraphy by Dr. Bagus Riyono, M.A., Psikolog, originally published by the renowned international publisher Routledge, has now been officially released in Russian. This work, born from the thoughts of an Indonesian academic, is a testament that local ideas can be appreciated and recognized on the global stage.
Dr. Bagus explained that Tazkiya Therapy originated from his doctoral dissertation at UGM. He discovered that the concept of tazkiyah, or purification of the soul, is central to understanding human dynamics. From there, he developed a therapeutic approach rooted in Islamic teachings, integrating the spiritual values of the Qur’an with modern psychology theories. This method not only helps individuals achieve mental well-being but also encourages independence in managing one’s inner self.
The path to international publication began when Routledge accepted the manuscript in English in 2023. Prof. Olga Pavlova, the international reviewers who evaluated the manuscript was from Russia. She not only recommended the book for publication but also expressed a strong interest in bringing it to the Russian market. This led to the initiative to translate it into Russian. In 2024, the book was finally published in Russian and began to be used as an academic reference at Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE) in the Psychology of the East program.
According to Dr. Bagus, the content of the book is universal and not bound by specific cultures, as it is inspired by Qur’anic values while also drawing from well-established psychological theories. In Russia, the reception of the book is considered timely, coinciding with the resurgence of religious life, particularly Islam, after the Soviet era. The presence of Tazkiya Therapy is expected to strengthen literature on spirituality-based psychology, which is increasingly needed in today’s world.
Beyond its international reach, the English edition of Tazkiya Therapy is also available at the Library of the Faculty of Psychology, UGM, making it accessible directly to students and academics in Indonesia.
The success of Tazkiya Therapy, published by a global academic press and now translated into foreign languages, demonstrates that the work of Indonesian scholars can compete at the highest level. From Yogyakarta, the idea of soul purification has reached international academic communities, bringing Indonesia’s voice into the global discourse of Islamic Psychology.