Jurnal Sosiologi Agama Indonesia (JSAI)

Promoting Inclusive Islam: The Role of Social Media in Fostering Religious Tolerance in the Digital Era

2024-10-15T02:29:32+08:00

This study explores the role of social media in promoting inclusive Islam and fostering religious tolerance in the digital era. Inclusive Islam, which emphasizes openness, respect for diversity, and peaceful coexistence, serves as a framework for engaging with individuals of different beliefs while maintaining one’s religious identity. Fundamental principles such as tawhid (oneness of God), justice, and compassion form the foundation of inclusivity in Islam. Tolerance in this context refers to accepting religious differences while upholding personal faith, as reflected in the prohibition of religious coercion and the recognition of pluralism. Despite these principles, challenges such as radicalism, misinterpretation of teachings, and the impact of globalization continue to pose barriers to inclusivity. This research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing descriptive analysis of written texts and media case studies, with a focus on literature review and content analysis. Findings indicate that social media platforms—especially YouTube—play a crucial role in disseminating inclusive Islamic narratives. Platforms like Jeda Nulis, managed by Habib Ja’far, actively promote interfaith dialogue, counter religious misconceptions, and present Islam as rahmatan lil ‘alamin (a mercy to all creation). However, the effectiveness of social media in spreading inclusive Islamic values is hindered by algorithmic biases, misinformation, and resistance from conservative groups. Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts from media practitioners, religious scholars, and policymakers to strengthen digital religious literacy, support content creators, and optimize social media algorithms. This study contributes to media and religious studies by demonstrating how social media can serve as a strategic tool for fostering interfaith understanding and strengthening religious tolerance in a digitally connected world.

Religious Moderation Villages and Interreligious Tolerance: Implementation, Successes, and Challenges in Pamekasan, Indonesia

2025-01-23T21:17:40+08:00

This study aims to explore the implementation of religious moderation through the establishment of Religious Moderation Villages (Kampung Moderasi Beragama/KMB) as a strategy to address religious conflicts and enhance inter-religious tolerance in Pamekasan Regency, East Java. Employing a qualitative approach, the study combines in-depth interviews and literature reviews. Informants were purposively selected from local government officials, administrators of KMB programs, and prominent religious leaders with direct involvement and extensive knowledge regarding the practice of religious moderation. Data analysis followed the thematic analysis framework by Miles and Huberman, comprising data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that the implementation of KMB has effectively strengthened tolerance among religious groups, evidenced by decreased occurrences of internal and inter-religious conflicts within the study area. Key indicators of successful religious moderation include enhanced harmonious social interactions among diverse religious communities, decreased resistance toward religious differences, and increased collective awareness of the importance of moderate religious attitudes. Nonetheless, the study identifies ongoing challenges, notably persistent extremist paradigms held by certain religious organizations, insufficient community education on religious moderation values, and limited structural support from local governmental institutions. The study recommends enhancing synergy among local governments, religious leaders, and community members to consistently educate society about moderation values, thus achieving sustainable social harmony in Pamekasan Regency.

From Collective Solidarity to Rational Participation: Transforming the Royongan Omah Tradition in Ngasinan Village, Indonesia

2025-02-01T18:30:07+08:00

This study aims to examine the transformation of Royongan Omah, a communal house-building tradition in Ngasinan Village, amid modernization and socio-economic changes. Traditionally, community participation in this practice was rooted in voluntary collective labor, driven by social solidarity and mutual aid. However, over time, participation has become increasingly selective and economically motivated. Employing a qualitative case study approach, this research collected data through passive participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, which were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s framework within Max Weber’s social action theory. The findings indicate that rationalization and shifting economic perspectives have significantly reshaped community participation in Royongan Omah. While participation was previously dominated by traditional, affective, and value-rational actions, it has now transitioned towards value-rational and instrumental-rational actions. Full community engagement—including labor, cognitive involvement, and material contributions—has declined, giving way to a more pragmatic approach that prioritizes skilled, paid labor for complex construction tasks. Despite the growing dominance of instrumental rationality, elements of traditional and affective rationality persist, demonstrating an ongoing negotiation between modern efficiency and cultural heritage. This study contributes to sociological discourse on modernization and cultural adaptation, highlighting how traditional cooperative labor systems evolve in response to socio-economic transformations.

Religious Moderation in the Social-Religious Practices of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama in Mulyoagung Village, Malang, Indonesia

2025-02-08T21:39:22+08:00

This study examines the understanding and implementation of religious moderation among Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members in Mulyoagung Village, Malang Regency. Using a qualitative research method with a case study approach, this research explores how these two Islamic organizations, despite their theological differences, engage in intergroup cooperation and foster social harmony. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and direct observations, focusing on how religious moderation is perceived and practiced in everyday life. The findings reveal that both Muhammadiyah and NU members exhibit a strong commitment to religious moderation, which is reflected in their inclusive and collaborative social and religious activities. Muhammadiyah, through its Islam Berkemajuan framework, emphasizes progressiveness, rationality, and openness, while NU, through Islam Nusantara, integrates Islamic teachings with local traditions to promote tolerance and balance. These principles enable both groups to maintain a peaceful coexistence, engage in joint community programs, and uphold mutual respect. This study confirms that religious differences do not necessarily lead to conflict; instead, they can serve as a foundation for cooperation when approached with openness and inclusivity. The findings offer a model of religious moderation that can be applied in other pluralistic communities, contributing to broader discussions on intergroup harmony in contemporary society.

Buddhist Engagement with the Muaro Jambi Temple Complex and Its Impact on Religious Identity and Socio-Economic Development

2025-02-28T11:54:57+08:00

The Muaro Jambi temple complex, once a major Buddhist center during the Srivijaya Kingdom, continues to shape the socio-religious identity of the Buddhist community while contributing to local socio-economic development. This study examines contemporary Buddhist engagement with the site, focusing on its role in religious identity formation, educational utilization, and economic impact. Using an explanatory qualitative approach with an intrinsic case study strategy, data were collected through in-depth interviews, documentation, and observations, ensuring validity through triangulation techniques. Findings reveal that religious activities such as Vesak celebrations, meditation retreats, and dharmayatra pilgrimage have reinforced Buddhist communal identity, while the temple complex also serves as an educational hub integrated into Buddhist curricula and historical studies. Additionally, its function as a religious tourism site has boosted local economic activities, though challenges remain in ensuring sustainable local community involvement. Using Parsons’ social action theory, this study illustrates how religious, cultural, and economic dimensions interact within structured social systems. These findings contribute to discussions on heritage preservation, religious identity, and sustainable cultural tourism, highlighting the importance of integrating religious heritage management with community-based development strategies.

Inter-Village Conflict and Communal Violence in Bima, Indonesia: A Political Sociology Perspective

2025-04-13T01:50:19+08:00

This study examines the persistence of inter-village conflict in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia—an ethnically and religiously homogeneous region often regarded as culturally devout. Drawing on a qualitative approach, the research explores how historical memory, youth dynamics, and symbolic narratives contribute to recurring communal violence in a context otherwise associated with Islamic civility. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. The findings reveal that conflict escalation typically follows a three-stage pattern: latent grievances, amplifying factors, and triggering events—often involving youth mobilization around issues of honor, revenge, or misinformation. Economic hardship, unemployment, and low educational attainment among young men further intensify this dynamic. Additionally, institutional responses to early-stage conflicts are often inadequate or absent, enabling escalation and reinforcing cycles of retaliation. While traditional elders play a role in informal mediation, sustainable peace requires a dual-track strategy: early prevention through community engagement, and firm law enforcement when violence erupts. This study offers a localized framework for understanding identity-driven communal violence in ethnically homogeneous rural areas—a domain often overlooked in mainstream conflict literature—and contributes to both the theoretical discourse on horizontal conflict and the practical development of conflict-sensitive governance and youth-oriented peacebuilding.

Nahdlatul Ulama and Environmental Engagement in Coastal Bengkalis amid Ecological Crisis

2025-04-25T12:09:27+08:00

This article explores how Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), through its local branch in Bengkalis (PCNU), responds to the worsening ecological crisis in one of Indonesia’s most vulnerable coastal regions. Using a qualitative case study approach that combines field interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this study investigates how Islamic environmental ethics—particularly fiqh al-bi’ah and maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah—are translated into collective practices through grassroots religious initiatives. Two key programs are highlighted: Green Pesantren, which integrates ecological education, reforestation, and sustainable practices into Islamic boarding schools; and Mimbar Dakwah, which encourages preachers to include environmental themes in sermons as a form of moral advocacy. These initiatives show how religious discourse can shape environmental behavior and public consciousness at the community level. However, the study also identifies major obstacles, including economic hardship, weak policy enforcement, limited institutional support, and escalating climate impacts. Despite these barriers, PCNU plays a critical role in mobilizing religious networks, shaping local ecological narratives, and promoting community resilience. The findings contribute to the sociology of religion and environmental studies by demonstrating how faith-based organizations can serve as agents of social action and environmental engagement, especially in regions where state capacity is limited.

From Identity to Evaluation: Political Reorientation among Generation Z Voters in Post-Conflict Aceh

2025-05-08T01:22:53+08:00

This article examines the political reorientation of Generation Z voters in Aceh, Indonesia, between the 2019 and 2024 presidential elections. In Aceh—a post-conflict region where Islamic values and inherited political affiliations continue to shape civic life—young voters have traditionally aligned with electoral choices informed by family ties, clerical influence, and communal expectations. Using a sequential explanatory research design, this study combines survey data from two election cycles (n=73 in 2019; n=267 in 2024) with 30 in-depth interviews across three public universities. Findings reveal a notable shift from identity-based loyalty toward a more evaluative form of political reasoning. By 2024, many respondents reported prioritizing leadership credibility, programmatic vision, and policy clarity over ethnic and religious affiliation. This transformation was catalyzed by increased exposure to diverse information via social media, peer deliberation, and civic engagement in academic settings. However, the shift unfolded amid significant tension, particularly from family members and educators who framed political choice as a moral imperative. Respondents navigated these pressures through selective compliance, quiet dissent, and emerging political autonomy. This behavioral shift is understood here as a form of selective identity politics, in which inherited affiliations remain relevant but are increasingly subjected to rational and ethical scrutiny. The study contributes to broader discussions on youth political agency, identity negotiation, and democratic participation in culturally embedded and post-conflict contexts.