Jurnal Sosiologi Agama Indonesia (JSAI)

Empowering Older Adults in Digital Security: A Community-Based Analysis of the Tular Nalar Program in Aceh, Indonesia

Cut Lusi Chairun Nisak — 2025-07-30

The escalating incidence of cybercrime in Indonesia has rendered older adults (lansia) one of the most vulnerable populations, primarily due to limited digital literacy and a lack of awareness regarding threats such as hoaks, identity theft, and online fraud. This study analyzes strategies for empowering older adults in digital security, focusing on the implementation of the Tular Nalar program by Mafindo in Aceh Besar District. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, and analyzed using Laverack’s community empowerment framework. The findings indicate that the program fostered active participation, expanded access to information, and strengthened social ties among participants. Facilitators played a crucial role in contextualizing digital security risks based on the lived experiences and local values of the lansia. However, the empowerment process has not yet resulted in collective autonomy, as participants remain reliant on facilitators and have not formed self-sustaining community structures. Disparities in digital literacy, expectations of incentives, and structural barriers further constrain the realization of community-driven empowerment. These results highlight that digital empowerment for older adults is not merely about increasing literacy, but is a complex social process rooted in local structures, cultural values, and community power dynamics. The application of Laverack’s model in this context underscores the need to integrate cultural values and locally grounded approaches into the design of sustainable empowerment strategies for older adults, while also addressing the persistent challenge of achieving community autonomy.

Qur’anic Models for Social Welfare Policy: Insights from Prophet Yusuf and Zulkarnain in Addressing Indonesian Social Justice Challenges

Alif Hibatullah — 2025-07-30

Indonesia’s diverse society faces persistent challenges from environmental uncertainty and social conflict, which threaten both economic security and social cohesion. Existing welfare initiatives, such as the bantuan sosial (bansos) program and food estate projects, have achieved limited success due to structural weaknesses, inaccurate targeting, and the risk of long-term dependency. These issues point to the need for an ethically grounded and contextually relevant welfare policy framework. This study introduces a normative model of social welfare based on Qur’anic narratives—specifically the stories of Prophet Yusuf and Zulkarnain—interpreted through Paul Spicker’s social welfare theory. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive approach and content analysis of Qur’anic verses, the research identifies core principles aligned with Spicker’s framework: basic needs fulfillment, rights protection, and equitable resource access. This integration of Qur’anic ethics with modern welfare theory offers a novel policy perspective for Indonesia. Key findings show that Prophet Yusuf’s approach to social assistance relied on barter systems to foster independence, complemented by strategies emphasizing job creation, sustainable land use, and active collaboration between government and society. The involvement of social workers as strategic partners strengthens policy implementation and community empowerment. While the conceptual model advances theoretical understanding, further empirical validation in real policy contexts is needed. This research demonstrates that social policies rooted in Qur’anic values and contemporary welfare theory can provide a viable pathway toward a more just and prosperous Indonesian society.

Family Support as a Determinant of Elderly Welfare: Evidence from Balung District, Jember

M. Hafid Mahmudi — 2025-07-30

Indonesia is facing a rapid demographic transition as its elderly population continues to rise, posing new challenges for social and health policy. Family support is widely recognized as a crucial factor in elderly well-being, but there is limited empirical evidence from local Indonesian contexts, particularly in rural areas such as Balung District, Jember. This study aims to examine the influence of family support on the welfare of elderly individuals in Balung District, Jember, and to determine how much variance in elderly welfare can be explained by family support. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected from 70 respondents—35 elderly people and 35 family caregivers—using purposive sampling. Validated and reliable instruments measured family support and elderly welfare. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analyses were conducted using JASP software. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between family support and elderly welfare (r = 0.688, p < 0.001). Family support accounted for 47.4% of the variance in elderly welfare. The analysis confirms that higher levels of family support are significantly associated with improved well-being among the elderly. Family support is a key determinant of elderly welfare in Balung District, Jember. Programs and policies that empower and educate families, enhance community resources, and strengthen family-based care systems are essential for improving the quality of life of Indonesia’s aging population. Future research should explore additional factors influencing elderly welfare and adopt mixed-methods approaches for a more comprehensive understanding.

Parenting Strategies and Adaptation among Muslim Families in the Prostitution-Affected Area of Samas Beach, Yogyakarta

Aji Setyo Nugroho — 2025-07-30

This study examines how Muslim families manage parenting in the prostitution-affected area of Samas Beach, Yogyakarta, where social and economic risks shape everyday life. Using a qualitative case study design, the research draws on in-depth interviews and participant observation with four families living in this unique context. The results reveal a spectrum of parenting strategies, from structured routines and active communication to more permissive patterns influenced by limited resources and parental absence. Parental backgrounds, especially experiences with past risk and hardship, often led parents to become more protective and intentional in raising their children. Economic pressures and irregular work schedules contributed to increased reliance on older siblings and less consistent daily supervision. Religious knowledge and community involvement sometimes supported families in guiding their children’s behavior, but could also present challenges when routines were disrupted. The findings highlight that parenting in a prostitution-affected environment requires ongoing adaptation and negotiation. These insights point to the importance of context-sensitive support systems for strengthening resilience among children and parents living in similar high-risk communities.

Symbolic Transformation and Cultural Islamization of the Kembar Mayang Ritual: A Case Study of the Javanese Diaspora in Aek Hitetoras, North Sumatra

Siti Hadijah Manopo — 2025-07-30

This article examines the symbolic transformation and cultural Islamization of the Kembar Mayang ritual among the Javanese diaspora community in Aek Hitetoras, North Sumatra. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the research is grounded in the anthropology of religion and based on in-depth interviews, participant observation, and analysis of documentary materials. Findings reveal that Kembar Mayang, once rooted in ancestral cosmology and mystical practice, has been reinterpreted through deliberate negotiation and adaptation. Traditional elements such as offerings and incantations have largely been replaced by Islamic prayers and Qur’anic recitation, reflecting the community’s commitment to religious orthodoxy while sustaining collective identity and social cohesion. The adaptation process has been incremental and dialogical, involving pragmatic adjustments in ritual materials and the creative use of digital media for documentation and intergenerational transmission. Contestation between cultural and religious perspectives has generated both tension and innovation, ultimately enabling the ritual to endure as a meaningful expression of gratitude, harmony, and heritage. The study contributes to broader debates in the anthropology of religion and diaspora studies, illustrating how local traditions are dynamically negotiated and renewed through cultural ijtihad, recontextualization, and digital innovation. Practical implications highlight the importance of inclusive dialogue, intergenerational education, and flexible preservation strategies for sustaining tradition within plural and rapidly changing societies.

Religious Values as Social Capital for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Facing Crisis in Kediri City

Trimurti Ningtyas — 2025-07-30

This study investigates the role of religious values as a form of social capital in supporting the resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kediri City, Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with eight MSME owners who managed to maintain their businesses throughout the crisis. The findings reveal that religious experiences and beliefs foster resilience and adaptability by encouraging persistence, community engagement, and mutual support. MSME owners relied on religious communities not only for spiritual guidance but also as practical networks for business adaptation. This study highlights the importance of integrating religious values into the conceptualization of social capital, suggesting that faith-based networks provide both psychological and material resources for business survival in times of crisis. The research offers new insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance MSME resilience through community-based and religiously-informed approaches.