Islamic Education and Religious Moderation in Plural Societies: Educational Strategies for Promoting Social Harmony

Abstrak

Religious diversity has become a defining characteristic of contemporary societies, particularly in multicultural countries where individuals from different religious and cultural backgrounds interact within shared social spaces. In such contexts, religious moderation plays a crucial role in maintaining social harmony and preventing intolerance or religious extremism. Islamic education is widely recognized as an important instrument for cultivating moderate religious perspectives and promoting peaceful coexistence in plural societies. This study aims to examine the role of Islamic education in strengthening religious moderation and promoting social harmony in multicultural communities. The research employed a qualitative library research approach by analyzing academic literature related to Islamic education, multicultural education, and religious moderation. Data were collected from scholarly books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and policy-related publications discussing the relationship between Islamic education and social harmony. The findings indicate that Islamic education contributes significantly to the development of tolerant attitudes, intercultural dialogue, and inclusive religious understanding. Educational institutions, including schools and pesantren, play a strategic role in fostering moderation values through curriculum design, character education, and community-based learning activities. The study highlights that Islamic education can function as an important social instrument for strengthening religious moderation and promoting peaceful coexistence within plural societies.