Religious Moderation and Islamic Education: Strategies for Strengthening Social Cohesion in a Multicultural Society

Abstract

Religious moderation plays a strategic role in Islamic education to strengthen social cohesion in a multicultural society. The diversity of religions, cultures, ethnicities, and social backgrounds requires students to understand differences, build dialogue, and develop a tolerant and responsible attitude. This study aims to analyze the relationship between religious moderation and Islamic education in strengthening social cohesion and formulate strategies for integrating religious moderation into the educational process. The study employed a qualitative approach with library research. Data were obtained from academic literature on religious moderation, Islamic education, multicultural education, tolerance, social cohesion, character education, and digital literacy. The analysis was conducted descriptively and analytically through concept identification, classification of educational approaches, analysis of the relationship between religious values ​​and social behavior, and conceptual synthesis. The results indicate that religious moderation needs to be developed as an educational paradigm through curriculum integration, dialogic learning, social experiences, strengthening teacher competencies, institutional culture, and digital literacy. This study proposes a model of Religious Moderation Based on Social Cohesion consisting of religious literacy, critical understanding, dialogical learning, social engagement, and digital citizenship. This model positions Islamic education as a strategic instrument to shape students who are religious, critical, tolerant, and able to build a harmonious social life in a multicultural society.