Religious Moderation as Lived Experience in Multireligious Urban Communities

Abstract

Religious moderation is essential for maintaining social cohesion in multireligious urban communities. However, existing studies have primarily focused on policy and ideological perspectives, while limited attention has been given to religious moderation as a lived social experience shaped through Islamic educational values. Therefore, this study aims to examine how religious moderation is internalized and practiced in everyday urban interactions. This research employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that values such as tolerance, balance, and justice are internalized through nonformal Islamic education, community forums, and cross-religious social activities. These recurring practices gradually cultivate a collective religious habitus, understood as a shared pattern of values, dispositions, and everyday behaviors that encourages individuals to practice moderation and interact respectfully across religious differences. As this habitus develops within the community, it strengthens inclusive attitudes, mutual trust, and social harmony. The study concludes that community-based Islamic education plays a vital role in fostering and sustaining religious moderation in plural urban societies by embedding moderate religious values into everyday social life.