Multicultural Islamic Religious Education: A Comparative Study of Indonesia and Southeast Asian Countries

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Published Jun 28, 2026
https://doi.org/10.56874/tila.v6i1.3206
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Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Pendidikan Islam Anak Usia Dini

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Nurhabibah Nurhabibah
UIN Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan
Muhammad Darwis Dasopang
UIN Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan
Zainal Effendi Hasibuan
UIN Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padangsidimpuan

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and compare the implementation of multicultural-based Islamic Religious Education in Indonesia and several Southeast Asian countries. This study is based on the reality of religious, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity that is a key characteristic of Southeast Asian societies. In this context, Islamic Religious Education plays a crucial role in instilling the values ??of tolerance, religious moderation, respect for differences, and harmonious social life. This research uses a qualitative approach with a comparative study method and utilizes library research as a data collection technique. Data were obtained from various sources, such as books, scientific articles, national and international journals, education policy documents, and relevant research findings. Data analysis was conducted through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, comparison between cases, and drawing conclusions. The results show that Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand share similarities in utilizing religious education as a means of developing religious and tolerant student character. However, each country implements different strategies according to its social conditions and education policies. Indonesia emphasizes strengthening religious moderation in its Islamic Religious Education curriculum, Malaysia fosters social integration in a multiethnic society, Singapore emphasizes social harmony and national cohesion, and Thailand utilizes Islamic education as a medium for strengthening identity and intercultural dialogue. Research findings indicate that the successful implementation of multicultural-based Islamic Religious Education is influenced by government policy support, an inclusive curriculum, educator competence, and a conducive social environment. Therefore, strengthening multicultural values ??in Islamic Religious Education needs to be continuously developed to support the creation of a peaceful, inclusive, and harmonious society.


Keywords: Islamic Religious Education, Multiculturalism, Tolerance

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Nurhabibah, Nurhabibah, Muhammad Darwis Dasopang, and Zainal Effendi Hasibuan. 2026. “Multicultural Islamic Religious Education: A Comparative Study of Indonesia and Southeast Asian Countries”. JURNAL TILA ( Tarbiyah Islamiyah Lil Athfaal ) 6 (1):731-46. https://doi.org/10.56874/tila.v6i1.3206.

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