Jurnal Balai Penelitian dan Pengembangan Agama Semarang
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Pemetaan Naskah Keagamaan Klasik Nusantara: Analisis Bibliometrik dan Jaringan Persebaran Manuskrip Abad 17-19
Full text linkClassical religious manuscripts from the Nusantara region, dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, represent a significant intellectual heritage, yet a comprehensive understanding of the scholarly publication trends and manuscript dissemination patterns within the global academic context remains limited. This study aims to (1) analyze global scholarly publication trends related to 17th-19th century Nusantara classical religious manuscripts, and (2) map the main contributors and collaboration networks in such studies. The research method employed is a quantitative bibliometric analysis of publication data sourced from the Scopus database, focusing on articles published between 1990 and 2024. The analysis of 200 articles reveals that the United States and the United Kingdom are the countries with the largest contributions in terms of publication numbers and citations, with the United States alone garnering over 1,200 citations. Furthermore, this research identifies dominant keywords such as “human,” “religion,” and “history” that frequently appear in the corpus of related articles. In conclusion, this study presents a comprehensive mapping of the landscape and trends in scholarly publications concerning Nusantara classical religious manuscripts, offering a significant contribution to the global understanding and preservation efforts of this valuable intellectual heritage and identifying potential areas for future research
Simbolisme Religius dalam Legenda Tonu Wujo Nogo Ema: Studi Etnografi pada Masyarakat Lewolema
Full text linkThis study examines the function of symbolism in the Tonu Wujo Nogo Ema legend in relation to the spiritual and social practices of the Lewolema community in East Flores Regency. The focus of this study is how this symbolism influences agricultural activities and the community's relationship with nature and God. A qualitative approach using ethnographic methods was used. Data was collected through interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. Informants were selected using purposive sampling techniques and consisted of traditional leaders, religious leaders, and young people involved in the social and ritual life of the community. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic and ethnographic approach to interpret the symbolism in the legend and its influence on the community's relationship with nature and the divine. This study shows that the Tonu Wujo Nogo Ema legend functions as a religious symbol that is manifested in daily agricultural practices, such as prayers at ceremonies before farming, during plant care, and at harvest time. This shows the connection between humans and the transcendent and immanent forces known as Rera Wulan Tanah Ekan. These results contribute to the study of religious anthropology and highlight how local symbolism shapes social and spiritual practices and their interaction with major religions such as Catholicism. The limitations of this study lie in its focus on the Lewolema community only and the lack of analysis of the impact of social change and modernity
Muhammadiyah’s Advocacy: Empowerment and Policy Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan
Full text linkThis article explores how Muhammadiyah’s leadership, through its overseas branches, advocates for and empowers Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan. Grounded in the empowerment framework developed by Laverack and Labonté, the study investigates how faith-based civil society engagement can offer protection and capacity-building for vulnerable migrant populations. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key organizational leaders and members, a multi-country focus group discussion involving Indonesian migrant workers, analysis of internal documents, and online observation of program implementation between February 2023 and July 2023. The findings reveal that Muhammadiyah’s initiatives encompass three interrelated domains—legal assistance, economic empowerment, and spiritual reinforcement—implemented through programs such as legal aid clinics, vocational and religious education, financial literacy training, and cross-border advocacy networks. These efforts have helped workers navigate legal uncertainty, secure basic rights, and build collective resilience. Yet, limitations persist, particularly due to Muhammadiyah’s status as a non-state actor without formal authority over migrant affairs, leading to bureaucratic barriers with official institutions, alongside persistent challenges in coordination, volunteer continuity, and sustaining attention and funding through uncertain donation-based resources. This study concludes that Muhammadiyah represents a promising model of transnational Islamic advocacy that integrates moral, social, and institutional elements to support the empowerment of migrant communities navigating complex legal and institutional environments abroad
Religion and Disability: Internalizing Disability-Friendly Values at Al-Mustaqim Mosque Yogyakarta
Full text linkThis study explores how Al Mustaqim Mosque in Yogyakarta is redefining the role of religious spaces through its commitment to social justice and disability inclusion. By using a qualitative approach, blending personal interviews with disabled worshipers, hands-on observation, and policy review, this research looks at how a mosque truly transforms into a welcoming environment for everyone. The findings show that inclusion isn’t just about one thing; it’s a blend of physical tools (like ramps and Braille Qurans), staff empathy (through literacy training), and inclusive messaging in sermons and social media. Together, these elements empower elderly and disabled congregants to participate actively in community life. However, the study notes that staying consistent is a challenge. To keep the momentum going, the mosque needs more regular disability-themed content and clearer ways for worshipers to share their feedback. To bridge this gap, the researcher proposes a practical model: scheduling regular inclusive sermons, creating direct feedback channels, and inviting people with disabilities to help write religious outreach materials. By connecting theory with real-world practice, this study proves that true inclusion happens when physical access, management heart, and religious storytelling work as one. Ultimately, this research offers a replicable roadmap for other institutions to follow, ensuring that people with disabilities are not just guests, but active leaders in creating fair and equitable places of worship
Islam and Coastal Culture: A Study of Symbolic Meaning in the Tradition of Sedekah Laut in Rembang, Central Java
Full text linkThis article reveals the tradition of Sedekah Laut in Rembang, Central Java, by placing it as a manifestation of coastal Islam built through the symbolic meaning of rituals. This study focuses on how ritual symbols are understood, experienced, and interpreted for religious meaning by coastal Muslim communities. Using qualitative methods and an ethnographic approach, data was collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The analytical framework of this study is based on Clifford Geertz's theory of symbolic interpretation, which seeks to understand symbols as vehicles of historical and contextual meaning through which humans understand and communicate cultural patterns, worldviews, and values in depth. He emphasizes the importance of symbolic interpretation in understanding culture and the meaning behind social and religious practices. The results of the study show that Sedekah Laut, known as Larung Sesaji, is not interpreted by the community as a religious compromise, but rather as a symbolic medium for structuring the relationship between humans, God, and the sea in the lives of coastal communities. Ritual elements such as miniature houses, goat heads, market snacks, flowers, coconuts, and cigarettes are not understood as offerings in the sense of worship, but as cosmological symbols that represent the continuity of life, safety, and ecological attachment that are legitimized religiously. Thus, researchers argue that the sustainability of Sedekah Laut relies on the symbolic function of rituals in shaping contextual religious experiences, rather than on the normative negotiation process between religious teachings and local traditions
Religious Well-Being and Suicide Ideation in Gunungkidul: Exploring the Pulung Gantung Phenomenon among Javanese Communities
Full text linkThe phenomenon of suicide in the context of the Pulung Gantung myth has become a serious concern. However, research that specifically examines the relationship between religious well-being and suicidal ideation in the context of Javanese culture, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of suicide, such as Gunungkidul, is still minimal. The present study aims to identify the role of the Pulung Gantung myth in mediating the relationship between religious well-being and suicidal ideation. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed to explore the unique experiences of Javanese people in Gunungkidul. Snowball sampling was used to identify key informants who met specific criteria, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data on religious well-being and suicidal ideation. To ensure the accuracy and avoid any offence, all collected data underwent a meticulous verbatim analysis. The Pulung Gantung myth exerts a substantial influence on the incidence of suicidal ideation within the Javanese community of Gunungkidul. This myth has the capacity to intensify feelings of despair, thereby expediting the process of arriving at the decision to take one's own life. The development of programs that promote community participation in religious activities. The implications of this study suggest a necessity to reinterpret the meaning of the Pulung Gantung myth so that it is no longer directly associated with suicide
Secularism, Imam Hatip Schools, and the State’s Role in Shaping Islamic Education in Türkiye
Full text linkImam Hatip schools have historically employed a unique role within Türkiye’s education system, positioned at the intersection of religious instruction and secular governmental policy. Originally established to prepare religious leaders, these institutions have evolved into diverse entities that provide both religious and general education, heavily influenced by changing political ideologies and educational reforms. This study explores the historical development and current function of Imam Hatip schools, with a particular focus on how political dynamics and state interventions influence their institutional identity. Using a qualitative approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Primary data were collected from teachers, while secondary data included official documents, policy texts, and archival records. The case study of Imam Hatip Schools in Istanbul serves as the central focus, complemented by comparative references to other Imam Hatip schools. The findings suggest that the trajectory of these institutions is not solely determined by internal educational needs but is deeply intertwined with broader political narratives and the state's vision of Islamic education. This study concludes that Imam Hatip schools represent a contested and evolving space, where secularism, religious identity, and national policy continuously intersect. Their role in society remains dynamic, reflecting ongoing negotiations between tradition, modernity, and state control in Türkiye’s educational landscape
Relasi Pesantren, Alam, dan Spiritualitas Islam di Kabupaten Wonosobo: Telaah Posthumanisme dan Ekoteologi
Full text linkPesantren, as a central institution of Islamic education in Indonesia. These institutions face contemporary challenges, particularly the demand to redefine the relationship between humans and nature and to reinterpret the role of humans as khalifah on earth. The era of posthumanism invites the present generation to critique anthropocentrism, and ecotheology offers a theological perspective on the sustainability of non-human life. This study seeks to portray the discourses and practices in responding to these two perspectives through case studies in several pesantren in Wonosobo. The findings show that, indirectly, whether consciously realized or not, pesantren have practiced and articulated the role of human–nature relations. An understanding of balance between the two has been embedded in teachings, learning processes, and practices. However, these good practices have not yet been implemented optimally. Various obstacles and challenges remain, including the lack of synergy in the learning curriculum, the economic capacity of pesantren, and the formation of parents’ perceptions that remain focused on the core objective of pesantren, which targets students to become experts solely in religious fields, while neglecting or being less receptive to other forms of development. Nevertheless, pesantren communities are not unprepared to face contemporary challenges, as they are shaped and facilitated by skills and direct practices in addition to learning from books and classical texts
Cultural Perspectives on Religious Tolerance: Exploring Moderation through Texts, Muslim Leadership, and Rituals in Singkawang and Salatiga
Full text linkThis paper examines religious tolerance and moderation in the cities of Singkawang and Salatiga through cultural perspective. Studies on religious moderation in Indonesia generally focus on regulatory, educational, or theological-normative dimensions. This research offers a new perspective by analyzing religious moderation culturally, emphasizing the role of culture, particularly religious rituals, as instruments of dialogue and collaborative work. This qualitative field research uses functionalism theory to analyze ongoing socio-cultural phenomena, with analytical parameters covering three aspects. First, the aspect of understanding religious texts; second, the role of Muslim religious leaders; and third, ritual/traditional practices. The research findings reveal three main points. First, the interpretations of Muslim leaders in both cities confirm that the values of tolerance, equality, and peaceful coexistence derived from the Qur'an or Hadith remain the foundational principles in responding to the dynamics of a pluralistic society. Second, the experiences of both cities show that moderation grows through responsive leadership, coordinated institutional mediation mechanisms, and interfaith community participation, thereby it forms an ecosystem of tolerance that does not arise spontaneously, but is designed, structured, and sustainable. Third, religious and cultural rituals provide a social space that allows the growth of mutual trust, cooperation, and social cohesion. This research shows that religious moderation is not merely the result of normative teachings, but a practice of living together that is formed through synergy between religious authorities, social leadership, and cultural rituals, which collectively create a more inclusive and resilient pluralistic society against potential conflicts
Memetakan Lanskap Sufisme di Indonesia: Analisis Bibliometrik terhadap Tren Penelitian Global dan Implikasinya bagi Studi Lokal
Full text linkSufism, as a path for Muslims to draw closer to Allah, has shaped Islamic spirituality. In a broader sense, mysticism encompasses supernatural and transcendental aspects, potentially fostering peace through tolerance. This study aims to map the patterns and models of Sufistic research relevant to Indonesia by employing a bibliometric analysis of global research trends in Islamic mysticism. Utilizing the Scopus database with the search criteria "Islam AND Mysticism" for publications between 2014 and 2024, a total of 188 scientific documents were analyzed. While the initial dataset is global, this study focuses on identifying trends, authors, institutions, and thematic clusters that illuminate the landscape of Sufism studies concerning Indonesia. The findings reveal significant contributions from Indonesian authors and institutions, as well as thematic concentrations on historical and regional aspects like the "Sunda Islands," indicating specific "patterns" of Sufistic inquiry related to Indonesia. This research contributes by offering an overview of these patterns, thereby assisting in understanding the specific characteristics and developmental directions of Sufism studies in the Indonesian context