A Model of Strengthening Religious Moderation in Countering Radical and Intolerant Understanding of Students at Islamic University

Abstract

The phenomenon of radicalism and intolerance among students at Islamic Universities in Indonesia has continued to strengthen. Therefore, this research describes students' views on religious moderation as indicated in four aspects, including national commitment, anti-violence, tolerance, and local culture. These aspects show the activities and understanding of student radicalism and intolerance, which sparks their tolerance. This is a quantitative and qualitative research with data collected from 340 students through interviews and surveys. Some qualitative data were also used as complementary data, and key informant interviews were used as comparisons in discussing the hypothesis test results. The general findings of religious moderation among students at Religious Universities were considered positive. This was based on testing the nationalism commitment, non-violence, and accommodativeness to local culture, as a strong foundation for their tolerance. An in-depth discussion is needed to determine the possibility of such a religious moderation course by comparing all Islamic Universities throughout Indonesia.