MODERASI BERAGAMA UNTUK KERUKUNAN UMAT BERAGAMA: Seminar Kelas PAI 24 MKWK UGM, 8 November 2024

Main Ideas and Concepts Conveyed

Religious moderation (Moderasi Beragama) is presented as a balanced religious attitude that promotes:

• Tolerance
• Openness to differences
• Respect and mutual appreciation
• Non-excessive understanding and practice of religion

Religious diversity—differences in ethnicity and religion—can create differences in perspective, which may sometimes escalate into extremism and threaten social peace.

The purpose of moderation is to achieve:

1. Social harmony between communities
2. Prevention of conflict caused by extreme attitudes
3. Appreciation of cultural diversity as shared identity

Harmony between religious communities is linked to Islamic principles such as:

• Rahmatan lil ‘alamin (mercy for all creation)
• Interpreting differences not as threats, but as “a color,” implying diversity should be respected

Implementation of moderation is carried out through education, state commitment, and real examples of interfaith respect and dialogue.

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Presentation Structure / Methodology (Table of Contents)

The presentation is organized as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Definition of religious moderation
3. Values of religious moderation
4. Harmony between religious communities
5. Implementation of religious moderation
6. Case study
7. Conclusion

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Values of Religious Moderation (As Listed)

• Tolerance (Tasamuh)

  • Living peacefully together without imposing one’s beliefs on others.

• Justice

  • Fair and equal treatment for all religious adherents, including equal rights in worship and social life.

• Balance

  • Preventing religious fanaticism or excess that can lead to conflict.

• Humanity

  • Prioritizing human dignity and compassion regardless of religious background.

• Brotherhood (Ukhuwah), with three aspects:

  • Ukhuwah Islamiyah (brotherhood among Muslims)
  • Ukhuwah Wathaniyah (brotherhood among fellow citizens)
  • Ukhuwah Basyariyah (brotherhood among all humans)

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Goals / Impacts (As Described)

• Creating social harmony
• Preventing conflict and extremism
• Strengthening unity amid cultural and religious diversity

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Implementation Strategies (As Described)

• Strengthening socialization and dissemination of religious moderation ideas
• Attitudinal commitments, such as:
  • Affirming state commitment
  • Strengthening tolerance
  • Rejecting violence committed in the name of religion
• Education and character-building approaches, including:
  • Religious moderation education from elementary to higher education
  • Anti-radicalism efforts
  • Government and religious institution supervision against extremism
  • Campaigns through social media, TV, and other platforms

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Case Studies / Examples Used

• Historical example: Sunan Kudus

  • Spread Islam using methods grounded in mutual respect
  • Example mentioned: prohibition of animal slaughter for Eid al-Adha, connected to local Hindu reverence for cows
  • Framed as an act of tolerance that helped Islam be accepted in a predominantly Hindu area

• Contemporary example: Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia

  • Presented as a symbol of interfaith dialogue and reinforcement of religious moderation
  • Indonesia is described as having official religions—Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism—as well as local beliefs
  • The message emphasizes that moderation supports national unity and integrity through tolerance, dialogue, and cooperation

• Prophetic example (from the closing speaker)

  • The Prophet Muhammad is described as engaging in dialogue and ensuring safety for different religious groups (example: Bani Najran)
  • Demonstrates moderation through dialogue rather than coercion

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Key Lessons and Conclusions

• Religious moderation does not weaken faith. Faith is portrayed as personal and not dependent on the presence of others.
• Dialogue and interaction with people of other religions can strengthen one’s convictions while practicing respect.
• Religious moderation is framed as both:
  • a religious/moral value (akhlak/humanity), and
  • a national/state policy responsibility (shared across ministries and institutions, not only the Ministry of Religion).
• The closing reiterates that examples like Pope’s visit to Indonesia align with the broader goals of humanity, peace, and interfaith harmony.

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Question & Answer Highlights (Main Points)

• Question 1: Rejection of religious moderation due to fears of reduced faith

  • Answer: Moderation is not meant to “endanger” belief; individuals’ faith is internal. This is supported by scripture examples (e.g., Surah Al-Kafirun and the principle of no compulsion in religion).

• Question 2: Challenges implementing moderation in a multicultural/mureligious environment

  • Answer:
    • Challenge: Differences in interpretation among religious schools/sects
      • Overcome through: dialogue and education
    • Challenge: Radicalism and extremism
      • Overcome through: character education, anti-radicalism campaigns, and institutional/government supervision

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Speakers / Sources Featured (Named)

Speakers / Participants

• Ms. Fitriana (Group 5)
• Latifa Koli (mentioned as present)
• Miranda (mentioned as present)
• Zahra (mentioned as screen sharing)
• Ms. Amanda (“Mbak Amanda,” questioner in Q&A)
• Muhammad Wahyudi (questioner in Q&A)
• Nazifa (questioner mentioned in Q&A)
• Prof. Nazaruddin Umar (mentioned in the closing)
• Mr. Syarif / Mr. Syar (host/leader referenced multiple times)

Other Named Roles in Examples

• Al-qib (named as head of a group in a historical/dialogue example)
• Assayid (named as an event organizer in a historical/dialogue example)
• Bishop Abdul Haris (mentioned in the historical/dialogue example)

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Religious Sources (Scriptural References)

• Qur’an Surah Al-Kafirun, verse 4: “For you your religion and for me my religion”
• Qur’an Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256: “There is no compulsion in [accepting] religion”
• A hadith about the Prophet Muhammad’s mission to perfect noble character (paraphrased)
• Rahmatan al-‘alamin / Rahmatan lil ‘alamin (referenced as a theological framing concept, not quoted as a single verse)

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Institutional / Policy References

• Presidential Decree No. 58 of 2023
  • Mentioned as emphasizing religious moderation responsibility across ministries and institutions