Deconstructing Islamic Religious Education (IRE) Materials to Foster Multicultural Awareness Among Millennial Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23917/mier.v3i2.10181Keywords:
Islamic Religious Education, Deconstruction, Multicultural Awareness, Curriculum Reform, PluralismAbstract
Indonesia’s cultural and religious diversity presents both an opportunity and a challenge for education. However, Islamic Religious Education (IRE) in schools remains largely normative and ritualistic, offering little engagement with multicultural values. This study aims to deconstruct IRE materials to promote multicultural awareness among millennial students. Using a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach, data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis involving teachers, students, and school leaders in socially diverse senior high schools. The findings reveal that current IRE textbooks predominantly emphasize jurisprudence and theology while marginalizing themes of tolerance and interfaith dialogue, resulting in varied student attitudes toward diversity—from inclusive to exclusivist. By applying deconstructive strategies such as contextual reinterpretation of Qur’anic verses, incorporation of cross-cultural case studies, and the use of digital media and experiential learning, teachers can reshape IRE into a more inclusive, humanistic, and context-sensitive subject. This study implies the need for systemic curriculum reform and teacher professional development to align Islamic education with the values of pluralism and democratic coexistence, thereby strengthening social cohesion among Indonesia’s youth.
Downloads
References
[1] D. Aprilianto, S. S. Aslamiyah, S. Zahidi, N. A. Crisnasari, and R. Hidayatussholihah, “Generation Z’s Perception of Religious Tolerance and Implementing Islamic Law in Indonesia,” Al-Istinbath J. Huk. Islam, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 194–218, 2025, doi: 10.29240/jhi.v10i1.11962.
[2] R. Romlah, A. Warisno, A. B. Muslim, and A. Harun, “Navigating tradition and modernity in the strategic management and transformation of Madrasah Aliyah in multicultural Indonesia,” Int. J. Manag. Educ., vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 284–310, 2025, doi: 10.1504/IJMIE.2025.145945.
[3] Normuslim, “Multicultural Education in Indonesia: An Islamic Perspective,” Educ. Sci. Theory Pract., vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 194–210, 2021, doi: 10.12738/jestp.2021.3.0013.
[4] A. Mustapa, N. Hidayah, T. Chusniyah, Y. Hanafi, and A. Chaiwutikornwanich, “Designing Multicultural-Based Islamic Education to Counteract Student Radicalization in Indonesia,” J. Deradicalization, no. 43, pp. 93–139, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105012122483&partnerID=40&md5=6cbb08113195a90607fe7104335068bf
[5] U. H. Muzayanah and D. Ghony, “The Harmonization of multicultural Islamic education values in diversity: A case from Indonesia,” Edelweiss Appl. Sci. Technol., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1212–1226, 2025, doi: 10.55214/25768484.v9i3.5468.
[6] L. Safitri, F. M. Manshur, and H. Thoyyar, “Nurcholish Madjid On Indonesian Islamic Education: A Hermeneutical Study,” J. Ilm. Islam Futur., vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 244–259, 2022, doi: 10.22373/jiif.v22i2.5749.
[7] R. Bahri, M. Rofiqi, and E. F. Rusydiyah, “Religious moderation education: a comparative study of Islamic approaches in Indonesia and Malaysia with implications for faith-based education,” Int. Stud. Cathol. Educ., 2025, doi: 10.1080/19422539.2025.2519727.
[8] H. A. B. Malla, M. Misnah, and A. Markarma, “Implementation of multicultural values in Islamic Religious education based media animation pictures as prevention of religious radicalism in poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia,” Int. J. Criminol. Sociol., vol. 10, pp. 51–57, 2021, doi: 10.6000/1929-4409.2021.10.08.
[9] R. Mantasiah, Y. Effendri, A. W. A. Putradi, B. Purba, and I. Afandi, “Multilingualism and Cultural Awareness: A Correlational Analysis in Language Education in Indonesian Higher Education,” Lang. Teach. Res. Q., vol. 42, pp. 163–187, 2024, doi: 10.32038/ltrq.2024.42.10.
[10] S. Mashuri, S. Futaqi, and A. Sulhan, “Spiritual Base Of Pesantren For Building Multicultural Awareness In Indonesia ContexT,” J. Ilm. Islam Futur., vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1–20, 2024, doi: 10.22373/jiif.v24i1.17141.
[11] I. Warsah, M. Daheri, R. Morganna, and T. Suharto, “Indonesian lecturers’ conceptualising and internalising of intercultural competence into teaching at universities,” Issues Educ. Res., vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 838–860, 2025, [Online]. Available: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105010600986&partnerID=40&md5=15b111059002696f2e6cdf94c86e0ce6
[12] A. Rohman and M. Mudis Taruna, “Islamic boarding school policy in response to the transmission of transnational religious ideologies in Klaten, Indonesia,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2436291.
[13] I. Ma’rifah, “Institutionalization of Multicultural Values in Religious Education in Inclusive Schools, Indonesia,” J. Pendidik. Agama Islam, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 247–260, 2023, doi: 10.14421/jpai.v20i2.8336.
[14] A. P. Rahadi, D. P. Koesrindartoto, and A. Wisesa, “Gender, anxiety and perceived Islamic values in students’ debt attitudes and behaviour: an ethnographic study of an Indonesian multicultural university,” J. Islam. Account. Bus. Res., 2024, doi: 10.1108/JIABR-03-2024-0079.
[15] N. Naim and M. Qomar, “The actualization of liberal indonesian multicultural thought in developing community harmonization,” Qudus Int. J. Islam. Stud., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 141–174, 2021, doi: 10.21043/QIJIS.V9I1.7908.
[16] M. Asrori, B. F. Asy’arie, G. Yusup Sofian, A. F. Syakir Hidayat, and A. Suja, “Islamic educational and cultural values in Indonesian puppetry art: a systematic literature review,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2025.2490445.
[17] M. Muhsin, A. Kususiyanah, and M. Maksum, “Religious Moderation in Indonesian Islamic Universities: Policy Implementation and Identity Formation at IAIN Ponorogo,” Ascarya J. Islam. Sci. Cult. Soc. Stud., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 54–66, 2024, doi: 10.53754/iscs.v4i2.713.
[18] M. Akmansyah, A. Mujahid, and T. S. I. Khedr, “The Essence of Mursyid Teachers in Sufism Spiritual Education in the Framework of Maqāṣid al-Syarī’ah: The Perspectives of Indonesian Scholars,” El-Usrah, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 50–71, 2025, doi: 10.22373/6m127a63.
[19] T. S. Gunawan, M. Kartiwi, A. Lubis, and M. Arifin, “Collaborative Online International Learning to Address Mental Health Across Cultures with an Islamic Perspective,” Indones. J. Electr. Eng. Informatics, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 950–962, 2024, doi: 10.52549/ijeei.v12i4.6041.
[20] W. Tong, M. Ali, C.-H. Puah, C.-M. Leong, and X. Yuping, “Islamic insurance: a review and research agenda,” J. Financ. Serv. Mark., vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 1464–1486, 2024, doi: 10.1057/s41264-024-00276-6.
[21] M. A. Burga and M. Damopolii, “Reinforcing Religious Moderation Through Local Culture-Based Pesantren,” J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 145–162, 2022, doi: 10.15575/jpi.v8i2.19879.
[22] M. Fahmi, M. A. Nuruzzaman, M. Hilmy, H. Y. Alfiyah, N. A. Abdul Aziz, and L. Huriyah, “Multicultural Islamic Education as Strategy for Strengthening Social Cohesion in Islamic School,” Nazhruna J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 154–175, 2025, doi: 10.31538/nzh.v8i1.67.
[23] S. Arifin, S. A. Aryani, and H. J. Prayitno, “Improving The Professional Teacher Competence Through Clinical Supervision Based on Multicultural Values in Pesantren,” Nazhruna J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 386–402, 2023, doi: 10.31538/nzh.v6i3.4037.
[24] A. Sopian, M. Abdurahman, M. Ali, Y. A. Tantowi, A. N. Aeni, and H. Maulani, “ARABIC LANGUAGE LEARNING IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT AT PESANTREN,” J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 77–89, 2025, doi: 10.15575/jpi.v11i1.44104.
[25] M. Muhajir, U. Kultsum, M. M. Choiri, S. Mustonah, H. Kulkarni, and A. Karim, “Integrating Multicultural Values To Foster Tolerance And Inclusivity In Islamic Religious Education,” J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 17–32, 2025, doi: 10.15575/jpi.v11i1.44607.
[26] A. Sirojuddin and J. Ghoni, “Integration of Higher Education Curriculum with Islamic Boarding Schools in the Perspective of Multicultural Islamic Education,” Nazhruna J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 265–281, 2025, doi: 10.31538/nzh.v8i2.163.
[27] C. Chotimah, S. Z. Qudsy, and M. Yusuf, “Superficial implementation of religious moderation in Islamic educational management,” Cogent Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1080/2331186X.2024.2442235.
[28] M. N. I. Saleh, “Perceptions of pesantren leaders towards Islamic moderation approaches in combating radicalism and terrorism,” Cogent Arts Humanit., vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.1080/23311983.2025.2474826.
[29] B. Djamaluddin, S. Bahri, A. Halim, and M. Chabibi, “Deradicalization Through Multicultural Islamic Religious Education at The Islamic University,” Nazhruna J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 646–663, 2024, doi: 10.31538/nzh.v7i3.34.
[30] D. Afriyanto and A. A. Anandari, “Transformation of Islamic Religious Education in the Context of Multiculturalism at SMA Negeri 9 Yogyakarta Through an Inclusive Approach,” J. Pendidik. Agama Islam, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 1–21, 2024, doi: 10.14421/jpai.v21i1.7142.
[31] M. Saihu, N. Umar, A. T. Raya, and A. Shunhaji, “Multicultural Education Based on Religiosity to Enhance Social Harmonization within Students: A Study in Public Senior High School,” Pegem Egit. ve Ogr. Derg., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 265–274, 2022, doi: 10.47750/pegegog.12.03.28.
[32] R. Takunas, S. Mashuri, J. H. Tahang Basire, G. B. Dulumina, and S. M. Mohi, “Multicultural Islamic Religious Education Learning to Build Religious Harmony,” Nazhruna J. Pendidik. Islam, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 590–607, 2024, doi: 10.31538/nzh.v7i3.18.
[33] H. Azkiya, H. Ws, and Y. Hayati, “E-Module Based on Multicultural Values: Development Strategy for Islamic Primary Education,” Munaddhomah, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 421–434, 2024, doi: 10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i4.1511.
[34] A. Fadli, “The Implementation of Multicultural Islamic Religious Education Model at Darul Muhajirin Praya High School,” J. Pendidik. Agama Islam, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 165–178, 2022, doi: 10.14421/jpai.2022.191-12.
[35] D. Mariyono, “Multicultural values: meeting point of two forces in developing Islamic education,” Qual. Educ. All, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 46–69, 2024, doi: 10.1108/QEA-02-2024-0018.
[36] A. Siahaan, C. Wijaya, R. Ananda, F. Rohman, and O. Manurung, “Islamic Education Management: A Study of Multicultural Paradigm,” Educ. Adm. Theory Pract., vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 12–28, 2023, doi: 10.17762/kuey.v29i1.585.
[37] J. Mistar, “The Kiai’s Leadership in Harmonizing Chinese-Muslim Relations through Multicultural Islamic Education,” Munaddhomah, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 329–344, 2025, doi: 10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i2.1897.
[38] A. Luthfi, E. Saputra, and N. Ali, “Development of a Multicultural-Based Islamic Religious Education Learning Model in Fostering Moderate Attitudes of Junior High School Students in Cilegon,” J. Educ. Soc. Res., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 120–132, 2025, doi: 10.36941/jesr-2025-0126.
[39] A. H. Ok, M. Al-Farabi, and F. Firmansyah, “Internalization of Multicultural Islamic Education Values In High School Students,” Munaddhomah, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 221–228, 2022, doi: 10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i3.265.
[40] H. R’boul, “Alternative theorizing of multicultural education: an Islamic perspective on interculturality and social justice,” J. Multicult. Educ., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 213–224, 2021, doi: 10.1108/JME-07-2020-0073.
[41] J. F. Fakhkhar Toosi and A. I. Bin Jamil, “Multi-religious education from the perspective of islamic teachings compared to the pluralist model,” Afkar, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 279–308, 2021, doi: 10.22452/afkar.vol23no1.8.
[42] Jobeda khanom, Tarequl Islam, and M. Mahmudulhassan, “Bridging the Gaps: A Bibliometric Key Theme Analysis in Multicultural Education Research (2019-2024),” Bull. Islam. Res., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–24, Jan. 2025, doi: 10.69526/bir.v3i1.163.
[43] N. M. Moussa, M. M. Abdelmawla, and J. Mousa, “Promoting Multicultural Education in the Middle East: Perception and Practice,” Int. J. Learn. Teach. Educ. Res., vol. 20, no. 11, pp. 303–320, 2023, doi: 10.26803/ijlter.22.11.16.
Downloads
Submitted
Accepted
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Yazdan Farouq, Mazin Khalil, Thaufiq Ilham Dwi Yahya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
