Diterbitkan oleh BADAN LITBANG DAN DIKLAT KEMENTERIAN AGAMA RI. ALAMAT REDAKSI DAN TATA USAHA: Sekretariat Badan Litbang dan Diklat Kementerian Agama RI Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 6, Jakarta Pusat - Telp./Fax. (021) 3920688 - 3920662 e-mail :sisinfobalitbangdiklat@kemenag.go.id
Sekretariat Badan Moderasi Beragama dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia (BMBPSDM) Kementerian Agama RI
Reception of Tolerance Verses Across Academic Habitus: PTKI Students and Digital Polarization
Inter-sectarian debates on social media have triggered sharp internal polarization among Muslims. While previous Living Qur'an studies overlook institutional academic habitus in verse reception, this research explores how Islamic Studies master's students from five PTKIs; UIN Jakarta, PTIQ Jakarta, UIN Yogyakarta, UIN Banjarmasin, and UNIDA Gontor reproduce tolerance verses responding to digital internal conflicts. Employing a qualitative Living Qur'an approach with sociology of knowledge and habitus analysis, this study involved 22 purposively selected informants. The study reveals three primary findings. First, students' reception of tolerance verses is non-monolithic, spanning six intersecting paradigms that demonstrate the text's flexibility when engaging with readers' distinct habitus. Second, digital responses are polarized between disengagement strategies as academic distinction mechanisms and varied active strategies. Third, students' reception is constructed by an interlocking web of academic habitus, undergraduate background, organizational activism, cross-disciplinary interactions, fragmented reference authority, and digital literacy. This study demonstrates that religious moderation in the digital sphere is profoundly shaped by students' academic habitus, institutional ecosystems, and critical digital literacy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dialog https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Group Cohesion and Radical Narratives on Instagram: A Symbolic Convergence Analysis of @muslimahnewwsid
The increasing use of social media has enabled the rapid dissemination of ideological narratives and facilitated the formation of online communities based on shared beliefs. One account that has attracted public attention is @muslimahnewsid, which is often associated with narratives rejecting democracy, promoting the caliphate, and criticizing religious moderation. However, limited research has examined how these narratives contribute to the formation of group cohesion among followers. This study aims to analyze how fantasy themes, fantasy chains, and rhetorical visions are constructed in the Instagram content of @muslimahnewsid using Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT). This study employed a qualitative approach with content analysis. Data consisted of three Instagram video posts selected from ten purposively sampled posts uploaded between January 2024 and March 2025. The analysis focused on captions, visual elements, and audience comments. To strengthen the findings, in-depth interviews were conducted with expert informants. The findings show that the account constructs fantasy themes centered on leadership crisis, the delegitimization of democracy, and the idealization of the caliphate. These narratives are reinforced through audience interactions, forming fantasy chains that ultimately generate a rhetorical vision portraying Islamic governance as the preferred alternative. The study concludes that symbolic communication plays a significant role in fostering ideological cohesion and collective identity within digital communities.
The Dayaks’ Food Taboos: Their Meanings and Functions for the Tariu Borneo Bangkule Rajakng Members
Studies on food taboos are mainly discussed within the context of pregnancy. There is less focus on the relationship between practices and ethnic groups. TBBR, as one of the Dayak organisations, requires its members to perform food taboos. These are believed to be a vital part of Dayak culture and spirituality, inherited through generations, serving as a code of conduct, a protector of spiritual harmony, and a marker of cultural identity. This ethnographic study aims to identify food taboo practices, their contributing factors, and their impact on members of the Tariu Borneo Bangkule Rajakng (TBBR) Organisation. The analysis reveals that food taboos within TBBR are not only related to physical health but also function as spiritual rituals to gain strength and immunity, as well as to connect the present people with their ancestors. In addition, these taboos reinforce discipline, promote solidarity, and affirm the Dayak cultural identity. In conclusion, the practice of food taboos in TBBR is a complex tradition that integrates spiritual, physical, and social aspects, aiming to preserve the ancestral cultural heritage in the modern era.
State Ideology, Secularism, and National Identity: Comparing Pancasila and Kemalism in Indonesia and Türkiye
This study examines how Pancasila and Kemalism shape state ideology and national identity in Indonesia and Türkiye, particularly regarding religion, secularism, and political legitimacy. It employs a qualitative, literature-based approach within comparative political science. The study draws on the constitutional and legal framework of both nations as a primary foundation, but relies heavily on secondary sources, including scholarly works, research articles, and a literature review as the framework. The findings reveal that Pancasila represents an inclusive and accommodative model that integrates religious values within a pluralistic society, while Kemalism reflects a state-led, assertive secularism characterized by a top-down modernization process. Both ideologies are dynamic and subject to reinterpretation in response to contemporary political developments. This study contributes to comparative political analysis by demonstrating how state ideologies function as dynamic instruments for negotiating legitimacy, pluralism, and religion-state relations in Muslim-majority democracies. It offers a novel analytical framework that foregrounds the role of political parties and ideological contestation as drivers of ideological transformation. The research further introduces the concept of “ideological architecture,” highlighting how an ideology is constructed and by whom determines its long-term durability and its capacity to manage the intersection of religion and democracy in Muslim-majority states.
Islamic Civil Society in Indonesia: NU and Muhammadiyah’s Role in Democracy and Social Harmony
This study aims to analyze the role of Islamic civil society in maintaining social harmony and strengthening the future of democracy in Indonesia by highlighting the contributions of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, the two largest Islamic organizations in the country. Employing a field research design and a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving organizational leaders, academics, and relevant sources. The analysis utilized a descriptive-analytical method grounded in the civil society theories proposed by Robert W. Hefner and Larry Diamond. The findings reveal that NU and Muhammadiyah play strategic roles in reinforcing democratic values, promoting tolerance, and sustaining social cohesion within Indonesia’s pluralistic society. NU, through the concept of Islam Nusantara, integrates Islamic teachings with local cultural values, while Muhammadiyah advances progressive Islam by emphasizing rationality, education, and social reform. Despite these contributions, Indonesian democracy continues to face significant challenges, including religious populism, identity-based politics, and shifting political dynamics. This study concludes that strengthening Islamic civil society is essential for preserving social stability and ensuring the long-term sustainability of democracy in Indonesia.
Critical Thinking and Religious Moderation in the Bahtsul Masa’il Tradition at Darus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School
This study examines Bahtsul Masā’il at Darus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School as an institutional mechanism for internalizing religious moderation and fostering students’ critical thinking skills. Drawing on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, the analysis explores how dialogical interaction, collaborative reasoning, and guided participation shape students’ religious understanding within a socio‑cultural learning environment. A qualitative descriptive–analytic design was employed, using in‑depth interviews with ustaz and senior secondary (Aliyah) students, participatory observation of a Bahtsul Masā’il session, and document analysis. The findings show that Bahtsul Masā’il integrates the pesantren’s classical scholarly tradition with contextual engagement on contemporary issues, enabling students to develop tolerant, open, and reflective attitudes aligned with the values of religious moderation. The scaffolding role of musyrif, the use of digital resources, and students’ involvement in external discussion forums further enhance their analytical abilities. Challenges include uneven student preparedness and limited alignment between logic instruction and applied reasoning during discussions. While the study demonstrates the pedagogical significance of Bahtsul Masā’il, its scope is limited to a single pesantren. This study is to reveal how Bahtsul Masā’il contributes to shaping critically minded and religiously moderate students capable of addressing contemporary socio‑religious challenges in accordance with the Islamic principle of Raḥmatan lil ‘Ālamīn.
Oha Mina and the Making of Women’s Religious Agency in Bima, Indonesia
To this day, women are still viewed as a vulnerable group. This stigma renders women’s roles in social, political, and religious life insignificant and leaves them feeling powerless. This patriarchal culture fosters gender-biased societal perspectives and perpetuates women’s subordination. Yet, within religious traditions, women’s roles as key participants in religious rituals cannot be underestimated. For example, in the doa wura bola religious tradition of the Bima community, women hold a crucial role as makers of oha mina. This study aims to explore the relationship between women, religiosity, and the formation of agency in the making of oha mina. This study employs a qualitative approach through interviews and literature review to explore the relationship between women, food, and religiosity from the perspective of Anthony Giddens’ agency theory. The findings of this study indicate that food in Bima society is an expression of religiosity and a means of reconciling local values with Islamic traditions. The doa wura bola tradition involves an equal division of roles and distribution of power between women and men. Furthermore, the practice of making oha mina is the locus where agency is formed and new religious authority is consolidated for women.
Between Faith and Tradition: Religious Moderation in West Sumatra's Muslim Families
This study aims to analyze the practice of religious moderation and the influence of Islamic tradition and law on the values ​​of moderation in traditional Muslim families in West Sumatra. This study employed a qualitative approach , with data collection techniques including in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. The research informants imprised 23 parents from traditional Muslim families in the Tigo Lurah District, Solok Regency. Data analysis utilized Nvivo 12 software with thematic coding presented in a project map. The author also employed the theories of Religious Moderation and Legal Pluralism as analytical tools. The results show that religious moderation in traditional Muslim families is realized through a balance between adherence to religious teachings and respect for local customs. The values ​​of tolerance, deliberation, and moderation in religion are instilled through role models and dialogue within the family. The Nvivo 12 analysis demonstrates the strong interaction of religious law, customs, and social norms in family religious practices. Furthermore, informants expressed a preference for leaders of the same faith as part of the principles of religious law, without eliminating tolerance for differences. This research confirms that religious moderation in traditional Muslim families is contextual and rooted in local religious and cultural values.
The Rowot Sasak Calendar as a Lunisolar System: Ethnoastronomy, Cultural Transformation, and Ecological Sustainability
The Rowot Sasak Calendar is an indigenous calendrical system that once connected ritual time, agricultural cycles, and ecological knowledge in Lombok. This article examines how Islamization and cultural acculturation gradually shifted the calendar from a lunisolar-stellar system to a predominantly lunar-religious system, thereby weakening its agrarian and seasonal functions. The study aims to explain the calendar’s original astronomical structure, analyze the consequences of removing intercalation, and propose a culturally grounded model for restoring its ecological relevance. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach based on ethnoastronomy and religious-cultural studies, the research was conducted in East Lombok, North Lombok, Central Lombok, and West Lombok in 2025. Data were collected through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews with four key informants, analysis of warige manuscripts and local calendrical records, and comparative astronomical calculations. The findings show that the omission of intercalation caused an annual drift of about 10 to 11 days. Reinstating a thirteenth-month mechanism can restore the calendar’s lunisolar logic while preserving its religious, cultural, and social functions.
Constructing Religious Tolerance Through Digital Dialogue: A Meanings and Media Analysis of the Login Podcast (Episode 6)
Religious tolerance in Indonesia remains a significant issue within the context of the country’s religious and cultural diversity, while media representations of tolerance often remain superficial and symbolic. Using Branston and Stafford’s Theory of Meaning and Media, this study interprets how religious tolerance is constructed through digital dialogue in the Login podcast episode “6 Religious Figures Unite on Eid al-Fitr.” This study employs a qualitative case study approach focusing on three units of analysis: the podcast’s verbal and visual elements, 14 selected YouTube comments reflecting variations in audience reception, and in-depth interviews with six religious figures featured in the podcast. The triangulated analysis reveals an imbalance in symbolic representation despite the podcast’s effort to construct a narrative of equality and interfaith harmony. The dominance of denotative meanings over deeper connotative interpretations indicates that media discourse on tolerance tends to emphasize surface-level unity rather than critical engagement with religious differences. These findings highlight the importance of more inclusive and reflective media practices in representing interfaith dialogue and promoting meaningful religious tolerance in digital media.
Improvised Dialogue and Alliance of Religions in the Kenduri Tradition of Jatimulyo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
This paper examines the role of the kenduri tradition as a medium for improvised interreligious dialogue and alliances in the multireligious community of Jatimulyo, Girimulyo Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Despite Indonesia's religious diversity and history of conflicts, kenduri persists as a way of life, fostering harmony amid differences in beliefs. The research problem centers on understanding why this community remains deeply rooted in kenduri and how it generates organic dialogue and cooperation across religions, addressing gaps in prior studies that overlook its improvisational aspects in building tolerance. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Findings reveal that Kenduri’s a culture and tradition that has become a way of life and even the life style of the community. Based on its implementation, there are 3 types of kenduri, namely religious, traditional, and cultural. All three types of kenduri gave birth to a process of dialogue and alliance. Ultimately, kenduri serves as a powerful instrument for fostering interfaith harmony, presenting a compelling model for inclusive societies. It should therefore be deliberately integrated into multicultural policies and educational frameworks as a practical and culturally grounded approach to promoting social cohesion.
Religious Moderation in Interfaith Dialogue: Current Challenges and Hopes for the Future
Religious moderation is a vital concept in maintaining harmony within plural societies. However, many studies on interfaith dialogue remain limited to theoretical perspectives, lacking empirical evidence on how religious moderation is practiced at the grassroots level. This gap has created a need for research that not only examines the theological foundation of moderation but also explores its real-life application among diverse faith communities. This study aims to analyze the role of religious moderation in interfaith dialogue by integrating theological reflection with field-based insights. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected in July 2025 through a literature review and a field study involving semi-structured interviews with four informants, including Christian pastors, Muslim scholars, researchers, and FKUB representatives in Central Java. The findings highlight that religious moderation—manifested through tolerance, balance, and justice—can serve as a sustainable framework for present and future interfaith dialogue. This study concludes that embracing religious moderation is essential for nurturing social harmony, preventing conflict, and promoting a more inclusive religious narrative in an increasingly globalized world.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dialog https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Coexisting in Faith: The Role of Local Traditions in Muslim-Christian Relations in South Tapanuli
Religious diversity in Indonesia is often associated with tension and conflict; however, South Tapanuli presents a contrasting example of sustainable interreligious coexistence. This study examines how the Batak-Angkola kinship system, Dalihan Na Tolu, functions as a cultural mechanism that sustains harmony between Muslims and Christians. This study employed an ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with 25 informants—including religious leaders, customary elders, community figures, local residents, youth, and students—as well as document analysis and archival research. The findings showed that Dalihan Na Tolu operates through the flexible roles of Mora, Kahanggi, and Anak Boru, which transcend religious boundaries and facilitate inclusive participation in communal events such as weddings (horja siriaon), funerals (horja siluluton), and socio-economic activities. Interreligious harmony is manifested in everyday practices where both Muslim and Christian adherents provide mutual support, including the exchange of food (marjambar), reciprocal support in rituals, and the avoidance of exclusive religious rhetoric—reinforce social solidarity. This study contributes to the broader discourse on social capital by demonstrating that Dalihan Na Tolu generates hybrid forms of bonding and bridging capital, producing what may be termed “embedded pluralism.” Practically, the findings suggest that kinship systems can serve as effective models for peacebuilding in plural societies beyond South Tapanuli.
Commodified Compassion: Platform Capitalism and Moral Giving in Indonesian Digital Philanthropy
This article examines how platform capitalism mediates the emotional and moral experiences of donors within Indonesia’s digital philanthropy ecosystem. Drawing on digital ethnography and semi-structured interviews with active donors across platforms such as Kitabisa, Instagram, and TikTok, the research identifies three interrelated dynamics: immediate empathic resonance triggered by visual content, a sense of moral urgency shaped by platform logics, and emotional fatigue that often results in selective disengagement. Findings show that while emotionally charged narratives effectively mobilize donations, they also risk commodifying compassion and exhausting donors psychologically, raising concerns about the sustainability of affective giving. The study foregrounds how digital empathy is not merely a spontaneous emotion, but a socially structured and platform-mediated practice shaped by religious norms, user interface design, and algorithmic incentives. By framing empathy as a collective ethical engagement, this study contributes to critical debates on emotional labor, platform governance, and the moral economy of digital giving. It also calls for platform architectures that support donor well-being, ensure ethical representation, and foster more equitable forms of digital solidarity within Indonesia’s evolving philanthropic landscape.
Converging Faith, Culture, and Nature: Tourism as a Pathway to Togetherness in Multi-Ethnic Lasem, Indonesia
Promoting social togetherness through educational institutions in diverse societies often encounters heightened sensitivity and resistance due to differences in religion, belief, culture, environment, and language, compared to approaches rooted in public activities such as tourism. In Indonesia, many tourism attractions originated as places of worship located in culturally significant areas, where local belief systems shape social and cultural practices. This study investigates how values of togetherness are practically manifested at the intersection of belief, nature, and sociocultural patterns in a tourism industry of Rembang, Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving tourism practitioners, visitors, site caretakers, and local government officials. Triangulation was employed to ensure data saturation, and analysis was conducted ethnographically using Spradley’s domain analysis. The findings reveal that the convergence of religious beliefs, sociocultural activities, and natural attractions fosters social cohesion among individuals from diverse backgrounds. This intersection not only sustains mutual understanding and appreciation of differences but also contributes to social harmony in Lasem, Rembang, enabling respectful interaction within a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-racial community.
The Javanese Philosophy of Memayu Hayuning Bawana and Religious Moderation in Central Java
Religious moderation is a critical component for ensuring social stability and fostering harmony among religious communities in Indonesia. The nation’s religious diversity must be approached with maturity and wisdom to realize the ideal of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). This study aims to explore the philosophical values embedded in Memayu Hayuning Bawana as a conceptual framework for understanding religious moderation within the Central Javanese society. Employing a qualitative design with a library research approach from a sociological perspective, this study systematically examines theoretical sources and literature related to the philosophy of Memayu Hayuning Bawana, religious moderation, and Javanese cultural traditions. The findings reveal that this philosophy serves as an ethical guideline and offers insights for fostering interreligious harmony through reflective social engagement. Through this worldview, community members are encouraged to cultivate tolerance, prioritize collaborative efforts for mutual well-being, and exercise self-control—principles that resonate with the core ideals of religious moderation. The paper concludes with recommendations for scholars, educators, and stakeholders to consider the values of Memayu Hayuning Bawana when discussing religious moderation in Central Java.
Rearticulating Islamic Signifiers: Counter-Narratives from Pesantren for Peace
Pesantren have increasingly become central to debates on religious moderation and the prevention of violent extremism. This study examines how Pesantren for Peace, a program initiated by the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture (CSRC), constructs counter-narratives that challenge extremist interpretations of Islamic signifiers. Using the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA) within Critical Discourse Studies, six Friday sermons are analyzed to explore how key terms are rearticulated to promote inclusivity and theological moderation. The analysis identifies seven key Islamic terms frequently co-opted in extremist rhetoric—jihad, ummah, kafir, munafiqin, syahid , sharia, and caliphate . Extremist actors employ these signifiers to build hegemonic discourses that marginalize alternative meanings and legitimize violence. In contrast, Pesantren for Peace strategically redefines them through discursive strategies of nomination, predication, argumentation, perspectivization, and intensification/mitigation. These reinterpretations foreground pluralism, civic responsibility, and peaceful worship, often drawing on Qur’anic topoi, prophetic traditions, and national values such as Pancasila. The findings highlight three insights: (1) extremist signifiers remain contested and open to counter-hegemonic rearticulation, (2) discourse is a key site of power where pesantren must assert theological authority, and (3) the emergence of a “New Pesantren” identity positions Islamic boarding schools as agents of peacebuilding and ideological resilience. By situating pesantren within Indonesia’s broader counter-extremism landscape, this study demonstrates their potential to generate counter-hegemonic discourse and advance sustainable religious moderation.
Multicultural Islamic Education and the Resilience of the Shia Community in Jepara
This study examines the role of multicultural Islamic education in promoting the resilience of the Shia community in Jepara, a minority group residing within a predominantly Sunni cultural and religious context. The central research problem addresses how educational and socio-cultural strategies have enabled this community to maintain its identity and coexist harmoniously. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis at the Darut Taqrib Islamic Boarding School. The findings reveal four key strategies in instilling multicultural values: (1) integrating multicultural content into the hidden curriculum, (2) promoting moderate religious attitudes among teachers and students, (3) reducing prejudice by accommodating differences, and (4) implementing equity pedagogy through dialogue and cultural engagement. The Shia community demonstrates remarkable resilience by utilizing cultural adaptation, kinship and marital networks, and active involvement in socio-religious activities. Academically, the study contributes to the development of inclusive models of Islamic education for religious minorities. Socially, it highlights the importance of shared religious values in mitigating sectarian tensions and promoting communal harmony. At the policy level, these insights offer valuable guidance for governments and civil society in promoting a more inclusive and dialogic approach to multicultural Islamic education.
High Social Piety and Tolerance Indices Among a Multireligious Society: Evidence from Sumenep, Indonesia
Social piety in religious traditions is considered a moral obligation that must be carried out by every individual. Social piety is part of a process of defining Islamic worship in a contemporary context. As is the case in Sumenep Regency, this practice is well-maintained, but challenges in maintaining social and moral values ​​remain. News about immoral acts, such as murder, rape, and corruption, often appears in the media and indicates a humanitarian crisis that requires attention. Therefore, it is necessary to measure and evaluate through the Social Piety Index and the Tolerance Index of Sumenep Regency. This study uses a mix-methods approach. The respondents were residents of Sumenep Regency, using multistage random sampling (400 respondents). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and index analysis. The results showed that the Social Piety Index of the Sumenep Regency Community reached a score of 85,91. This figure represents the condition of the community successfully creating a harmonious, caring, and mutually supportive social atmosphere. Second, the tolerance index with a score of 87,95, the community feels harmonious social relations and mutual respect for differences. This achievement illustrates a strong foundation for realizing social harmony as a main pillar in the development vision of Sumenep Regency.
Multicultural Journalism and Local Wisdom: How Media in NTT Promote Tolerance and Cultural Integration
This study aimed to explain how journalists adopt multicultural journalism to promote harmony and tolerance in East Nusa Tenggara Province. Multicultural journalism opposes discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender, and religion, as well as radicalism, intolerance, and exclusivism. Tolerance among NTT communities is contributed to by local wisdom, such as Nusi (cooperation), Butukila (bonding and nurturing a sense of brotherhood), Suki Toka Apa (providing support and assistance), and Muki Nena (cultivating a sense of ownership and belonging). This research employed a qualitative descriptive approach with a phenomenological methodology to explore journalists' experiences and perceptions of local wisdom influence within the NTT community on the practice of peace journalism. To explain this, this research draws on Berger and Luckmann's theory of the social construction of reality and Weber's theory of social practice. The research results demonstrated that journalists in NTT understand that a life of tolerance and harmony has long been constructed as a social reality. Journalists are agents of socialization for local wisdom values. In the context of the social construction in the reality theory, media not only represent reality but also shape it. Journalists could construct the reality of a harmonious life.
Collective Transcendence of Aging People through Majelis Taklim: Challenging the Individual Assumptions of Gerotranscendence Theory
This research examines the concept of elderly transcendence by questioning the individualistic assumptions in the Gerotranscendence theory developed by Lars Tornstam (1943-2016), a Swedish sociologist. Gerotranscendence is the shift experienced by elders from self-centered interests to broader, more transcendent perspectives. This theory states that such transcendence occurs through personal reflection and withdrawal from social life. However, in the context of Indonesia's collective culture, this research identified a problem: does transcendence depend only on individual reflection, or can it also be achieved through meaningful social interaction? To answer this question, the study used a phenomenological qualitative method involving 12 elderly people who are active in majelis taklim in urban Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participatory observation, then analyzed using a thematic approach. The results show that the elderly's participation in religious activities not only deepens their spiritual dimension, but also enriches life reflection and strengthens social relationships. The study resulted in the concept of “Collective Transcendence”, which asserts that achieving transcendence is not only through personal reflection but also supported by social and community interactions. As such, the findings encourage the development of Gerotranscendence theory to better suit collective culture and support religious community-based elderly welfare programs.
Menyatukan Kekuatan Islam di Jawa: Dinamika Relasi Kuasa antara Cirebon dengan Demak pada Masa Awal Islam di Indonesia Abad ke-15-16 M
Abstrak Artikel ini membahas hubungan strategis dan penyatuan kekuatan antara Kesultanan Cirebon dan Demak pada abad ke-15-16 M dalam berbagai aspek, termasuk relasi kuasa melalui pernikahan, keilmuan, dakwah Islam, militer, dan suksesi. Permasalahannya adalah bagaimana terbentuk hubungan antara Kesultanan Demak dan Cirebon hingga menjadi kekuatan yang bersatu, dan bagaimana keduanya dapat mengembangkan hubungan tesebut sehingga memengaruhi arah perkembangan Islam selanjutnya di Jawa. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode sejarah dengan langkah-langkah heuristik, kritik, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Hasil pembahasan menunjukkan bahwa hubungan keduanya tidak hanya berlandaskan aspek politik, tetapi juga nilai-nilai keagamaan dan militer yang memengaruhi perkembangan Islam di Nusantara. Hubungan Cirebon dan Demak ditandai dengan upaya integrasi melalui perkawinan, pengaruh ulama dalam sistem pemerintahan, serta kerja sama dalam menghadapi ancaman eksternal seperti Majapahit, Pajajaran, dan Portugis. Konflik internal dalam Kesultanan Demak juga turut mempengaruhi keseimbangan politik, di mana Cirebon berperan dalam menentukan stabilitas kerajaan Islam di Jawa. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan sejarah dan analisis teori hubungan kekuasaan, penelitian ini memberikan wawasan mengenai dinamika kekuasaan dan interaksi politik antara kedua kerajaan yang berkontribusi terhadap perkembangan Islam di Nusantara. Abstract This article examines the strategic relationship and unification of power between the Sultanates of Cirebon and Demak in the 15th-16th centuries across various aspects, including political alliances through marriages, scholarly transmission (sanad), Islamic da'wah, military, and succession. The problem is how the relationship between the Sultanates of Cirebon and Demak was formed to become a united power, and how the two could develop this relationship so as to influence the direction of the further development of Islam in Java. The study employs historical methods, incorporating heuristic analysis, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The findings indicate that the relationship between the two sultanates was not solely based on political considerations but also encompassed religious and military dimensions that influenced the spread of Islam in the archipelago. Their alliance was marked by integration efforts through inter-dynastic marriages, the influence of ulama in governance, and joint strategies against external threats such as Majapahit, Pajajaran, and the Portuguese. Additionally, internal conflicts within the Demak Sultanate impacted the region’s political equilibrium, with Cirebon playing a crucial role in maintaining the stability of Islamic rule in Java. By employing a historical approach and analyzing power relations, this study provides valuable insights into the political dynamics and interactions between these two kingdoms, highlighting their contributions to the development of Islam in the archipelago.
Constructing Interreligious Dialogue through Local Wisdom for Peacebuilding in Nggeru Kopa Hamlet, Indonesia
Religious multiculturalism presents both opportunities for harmony and risks of conflict when differences are exploited, with ineffective communication frequently triggering social disintegration. In this context, religious leaders play a pivotal role in bridging societal divides and cultivating shared understanding to strengthen interfaith relations while countering religious radicalism. This study employs qualitative methods with a phenomenological approach, collecting data through observation, interviews, and documentation, analyzed via data reduction, presentation, and verification techniques. Results demonstrate that religious leaders in Nggeru Kopa Hamlet drive peacebuilding by constructing social values anchored in local traditions:such as the InaRiha practices in prayer gatherings, second,consensus prohibiting open pork processing by Christians to respect Muslim neighbors, and mutual cooperation in Mbolo Weki and Karawi Ulucempe traditions. These mechanisms fortify interfaith bonds and ensure social stability amid diversity.These practices strengthen interfaith relations and ensure social stability amidst diversity. These findings contribute to interfaith communication theory by demonstrating how religious leaders act as social architects, not merely facilitators, of peace in a multicultural society. .
Seeds of Violence: How Fanaticism and Exclusivism in Early Childhood Religious Education Shape Intolerant Dispositions
This study aims to reveal and analysis the potency of violent values in early childhood education that is taught through religious teaching materials. This study is critical to analyze because the understanding of violence instilled in childhood can have long-lasting effects on their social and mental development such as fostering aggressive behavior, normalizing violence, and causing social maladjustment. This study uses a qualitative method. And, to reveal the forms of potential violence through the teachings being taught, this study is also supported by questionnaire data. The findings in this study show that two types of religious teachings have the potential as seeds of violence internalized in kindergarten namely exclusivism and fanaticism. These two types represent characteristics of theological claims that exert consequences in shaping the understanding of intolerant motivations and behaviors. By using the genealogy of power theory as knife analysis, this study concludes that the potency of violence based on religious values in early childhood education does not only reflect how the power operates systematically within religious teachings in a micro context in the form of teacher-student relationships in generating violence understanding but also reflects a broader context within social and political structures.
Peran Nahdlatul Ulama Sebagai Aktor Civil Society dalam Merespons Perubahan Iklim
Abstrak Isu perubahan iklim menjadi salah satu tantangan global yang memberikan dampak signifikan terhadap kehidupan manusia, mulai dari bencana alam hingga perubahan pada pola kehidupan sosial dan ekonomi. Dalam menghadapi perubahan iklim, pendekatan berbasis ilmiah sering kali menjadi fokus utama, namun pendekatan berbasis keagamaan juga memiliki peran yang penting. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif untuk menganalisis peran Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), salah satu organisasi masyarakat sipil berbasis Islam terbesar di Indonesia, dalam menghadapi perubahan iklim. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, observasi, dan studi dokumen terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa NU tidak hanya mengedepankan pendekatan berbasis teologi dalam memahamkan umatnya, tetapi juga berperan aktif dalam berbagai program konkret untuk mendukung upaya pelestarian lingkungan. NU memanfaatkan jaringan organisasinya yang luas untuk menyebarkan informasi tentang pentingnya menjaga lingkungan sebagai bagian dari kewajiban agama. Penelitian ini mendukung temuan Robert W. Hefner yang menyatakan bahwa civil Islam di Indonesia berperan penting dalam mendorong demokratisasi dan memperkuat peran masyarakat sipil dalam menghadapi berbagai isu kontemporer, dalam hal ini adalah isu lingkungan dan perubahan iklim. Kontribusi NU dalam isu ini juga sejalan dengan penelitian Jens Koershen yang menyoroti bagaimana organisasi masyarakat dapat menjadi perpanjangan tangan pemerintah dalam membantu masyarakat beradaptasi dengan perubahan iklim. Abstract The issue of climate change is one of the global challenges that significantly impact human life, ranging from natural disasters to changes in social and economic life patterns. In climate change, scientific-based approaches are often the main focus, but religious-based approaches also have an important role. This study uses a qualitative method to analyze the role of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), one of Indonesia's largest Islamic-based civil society organizations, in dealing with climate change. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and study of relevant documents. The results show that NU not only puts forward a theology-based approach to understanding its people but also plays an active role in various concrete programs to support environmental conservation efforts. NU utilizes its extensive organizational network to spread information about the importance of protecting the environment as part of religious obligations. This research supports Robert W. Hefner's findings that civil Islam in Indonesia plays an important role in promoting democratization and strengthening the role of civil society in dealing with various contemporary issues, in this case, environmental issues and climate change. NU's contribution to this issue also aligns with Jens Koershen's research, which highlights how community organizations can be an extension of the government in helping communities adapt to climate change.
Coexistence in Islamic Sharia: A Study of Social Interaction Majority and Minority in Aceh
This study examines the social interaction between the majority of Muslims and non-Muslim minorities in Aceh in the context of the implementation of Islamic Sharia. Using qualitative methods and case study approaches, this study explores how both groups build social harmony through cultural adaptation, participation in social activities, and inclusive attitudes of the majority. The results showed that non-Muslim minorities actively studied local culture and followed the customs of the majority community to facilitate interaction and avoid conflict. Meanwhile, the majority of Muslims show a moderate attitude by giving space for minorities to practice their beliefs without coercion. This mutual respect reflects religious tolerance and moderation, which is the basis of Aceh's social harmony. These findings show that diversity can be managed well through dialogue, mutual respect, and inclusive policies. This study contributes to understanding the majority-minority relationship in societies that apply Islamic law and how to create social cohesion amid differences.
Social Interaction in the Multicultural Society of Bandung City: An Inspiration for Interfaith Harmony
Bandung is a highly diverse city, and Kampung Toleransi in Balonggede Village, Regol District, reflects this diversity. The village was built upon the pluralistic nature of its community, consisting of individuals from various religious backgrounds, as evidenced by three places of worship nearby. In general, communities with diverse backgrounds are often perceived as challenging to interact with harmoniously. However, Kampung Toleransi demonstrates a different pattern of social interaction. This study aims to analyze religious tolerance within social interactions to maintain harmony in Kampung Toleransi. The sociological approach to religion is employed, utilizing Mukti Ali's theories on tolerance and harmony along with George Simmel's theory of social interaction. This qualitative research gathers data through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal that the values of tolerance in social interactions within Kampung Toleransi are manifested through government policies, the roles of religious leaders, and the application of ideal principles. The forms of interaction include subordination under a single leader, multiple leaders, ideal principles, and individual freedom, all of which reflect the values of religious tolerance. In conclusion, the harmonious interactions in Kampung Toleransi serve as a model for fostering tolerance in social interactions based on community diversity. This model is highly relevant for application in other cities and regions, particularly in West Java and throughout Indonesia.
From the Spotlight to the Shadows: Ex-HTI's Digital Da’wah Rebuilding Authority through Social Media
The dissolution of HTI by the Indonesian government in 2017 has given birth to a new form of religious authority facilitated by da’wah through social media. This group utilizes various digital platforms such as Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and websites to continue spreading the Caliphate ideology. This research analyzes how the Ex-HTI group conducts its da’wah, as represented by the Muslimah News and Back to Muslim Identity accounts across different social media platforms. Researchers used a qualitative content analysis using Wilson’s framework to examine the da’wah strategies on the BMI, Muslimah News, and Felix Siauw accounts. The findings show that the Ex-HTI group has transformed into a different way of da'wah to continue propagating the ideology of the Caliphate. The transformation is not limited to the way of da'wah from offline to online. However, the da'wah of the HTI group before it was dissolved, which was carried out openly (spotlight), has now been transformed into a more covert form (shadows). In addition, the use of social media in this new da'wah model has also created a new kind of religious authority for the Ex-HTI group through the figure of Felix Siauw, an Ustadz who is widely accepted by the public.
Parsubang as a Symbol of Religious Diversity Appreciation in Batak Culture
Parsubang is a Batak tradition that originally emerged as a form of respect for individuals who did not consume pork, and has since evolved into a broader cultural practice symbolizing respect for religious and belief-based differences. This study examines the role of parsubang in fostering social harmony within the Batak community, focusing on how this traditional practice bridges religious divides between Muslims and Christians. The research employs a qualitative approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews with community leaders, religious figures, and members of the Batak community in both rural and urban areas. Data analysis is conducted using thematic analysis, identifying key themes related to the values of tolerance, mutual respect, and social solidarity within parsubang. The findings show that while the form of parsubang has evolved in urban areas, its core values continue to play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion. Despite modern challenges, the practice remains a crucial element of Batak identity and interfaith harmony. The study concludes that preserving the essence of parsubang while adapting it to contemporary contexts can help maintain religious harmony and strengthen community bonds.