Surau Journal of Islamic Studies

From Awareness to Empowerment: The Role of Waqf Literacy in Indonesia’s Socioeconomic Ecosystem

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The Waqf Awareness Movement, launched by the International Center of Awqaf Studies, aims to enhance the understanding and participation of students and the Indonesian public in waqf practices. This study employs a literature review method, analyzing previous studies and academic literature related to the waqf awareness movement and its socio-economic impacts. By synthesizing various scholarly sources, this research explores how education, socialization, and access to information have contributed to increasing public awareness and participation in waqf. The findings indicate that waqf holds significant potential to improve community economic empowerment, strengthen social welfare, and promote solidarity. Furthermore, the literature review reveals that increased engagement in waqf extends beyond donations to include the management and utilization of waqf assets for community development. This study highlights the important role of educational and socialization initiatives in raising awareness of waqf's benefits, aiming to encourage greater public participation. The research emphasizes the need to strengthen these initiatives to maximize waqf's contribution as a tool for sustainable social and economic development. Through deeper understanding of waqf, the public is better prepared to regard it as an effective instrument for community advancement, reinforcing social values, and promoting solidarity.

When Algorithms Shape Trust: The Capitalist Transformation of Digital Islamic Da’wah in Indonesia

Siti Fadilla, Putri Isma Indriyani — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the capitalist transformation of digital Islamic da’wah in Indonesia through the lens of social media algorithms and their role in shaping user trust. Employing a qualitative literature review approach, the research analyzes how algorithmic mechanisms prioritize content circulation based on engagement metrics, thereby influencing the production and reception of religious messages. The findings reveal that digital platforms driven by capitalist imperatives commodify Islamic da’wah, altering its communicative style and potentially compromising its spiritual authenticity. This commodification fosters a competitive digital environment where trust is algorithmically constructed and leveraged for monetization. The study underscores the critical need for digital literacy among Islamic preachers and their audiences to navigate these dynamics responsibly. Limitations include reliance on secondary sources without primary empirical data, highlighting the importance of future multifaceted research to develop ethical and effective digital da’wah strategies in a rapidly evolving media landscape. The research implications advocate for balancing technological adaptation with the preservation of genuine Islamic values against the pressures of digital capitalism.

Religious-Cultural Mediation in Technology Adoption: A Qualitative Study of Islamic Communities in Indonesia

Idan Ramdani, Febby Apri Wenando, Dino Ondri — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research aims to analyze the influence of Islamic social and cultural values on technology adoption within Muslim communities, focusing on the challenges and opportunities arising from the misalignment between technological advancements and local cultural values. Technology adoption in Muslim societies is often influenced not only by infrastructure readiness but also by societal perceptions of technology that may conflict with long-standing religious doctrines and cultural traditions. This study identifies three main factors affecting technology acceptance: infrastructure readiness, social disparities, and the cultural characteristics of Islam. The research demonstrates that successful technology adoption requires social engineering that enables integration with the existing moral and social values in Muslim communities. Using a qualitative approach, the study explores how Muslims adapt technology without compromising their religious and cultural principles. Findings indicate that effective technology adoption necessitates policies accommodating local social and cultural values and the involvement of religious leaders in introducing appropriate technology. This research significantly contributes to enriching the study of technology adoption by considering cultural and religious dimensions and opens opportunities for further research in this field. The study’s limitation lies in its geographically limited scope, suggesting the need for broader, more in-depth research involving Muslim communities in various regions.

Socio-Cultural Determinants of Halal Consumption: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria

Huriyatul Akmal, Nabilah Binti Yusof — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The halal industry has experienced significant growth in various countries with large Muslim populations, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria. This study aims to understand how the social and cultural characteristics of societies in these three countries influence consumer behavior toward halal products. Using a qualitative approach based on literature review, this research analyzes factors shaping halal consumption patterns, including infrastructure readiness, social inequality, and economic factors in each country. The findings reveal that although all three countries have high demand for halal products, there are significant differences in acceptance and adoption. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the halal industry is more advanced, supported by strong government policies, whereas in Nigeria, infrastructural challenges and inadequate regulations are major obstacles. The study also highlights that the public's understanding of halal extends beyond food to sectors such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and Islamic finance. Consequently, this research provides important contributions to the development of more inclusive halal industry policies and marketing strategies tailored to the social and cultural contexts of each country. However, the study is limited by the use of secondary data, and further research involving direct interviews with consumers and stakeholders in these countries is highly recommended.

Beyond Spiritual Ritual: Qur’anic Khataman as a Catalyst for Socio-Economic Solidarity in Rural Indonesia

Agus Kharir, Mawaddatul Lizamah — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the dual role of Qur’anic khataman tradition at Ihsanul Ato Mosque in Sumenep, Indonesia, as both a spiritual practice and a mechanism for socio-economic solidarity. Through an exploratory qualitative approach—using in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis—the research reveals how khataman transcends its religious function to foster community resilience. Findings indicate that khataman integrates weekly arisan (rotating savings scheme) into its structure, creating an informal economic network that supports collective needs such as healthcare, education, and small-business capital. Simultaneously, it serves as a vital social space where villagers across ages and professions strengthen communal bonds, share information, and provide moral support. The tradition bridges Islamic spirituality with local socio-cultural values like gotong royong (mutual cooperation), transforming the mosque into a dynamic hub for holistic community development. Participants report enhanced social cohesion, economic reciprocity, and intergenerational transmission of Qur’anic values such as sincerity and solidarity. However, the study’s single-site focus limits broader generalizability, and future research should explore variables like gender dynamics and local leadership. This research contributes to socio-religious studies by demonstrating how grassroots religious practices can drive sustainable socio-economic empowerment. It challenges reductionist views of khataman as merely ritualistic, positioning it instead as a adaptive strategy for resource-scarce rural communities. Policymakers may leverage such indigenous traditions to design culturally resonant social programs in Muslim-majority contexts.