Beyond Worship: A Qualitative Exploration of Mosque Tourism Through the Lens of Maqāṣid Sharī’ah and the 3A Framework in West Java, Indonesia
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Abstract
This study aims to develop an integrative model that combines the Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah framework with the conventional 3A (Attraction, Accessibility, Amenity) tourism model for mosque tourism development. The core concept of mosque tourism is redefined beyond the lens of mere commercial spectacle or visual consumption, repositioning the mosque as a sacred civilizational space where spirituality, education, and communal welfare intersect. Using a qualitative research design grounded in conceptual documentary and textual inquiry into normative scriptures and regional policy frameworks, the spatial scope of this inquiry is contextualized within West Java, Indonesia—a region rich in Islamic cultural heritage. The primary findings reveal that the integration of the five essential Maqāṣid dimensions (preservation of faith, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth) radically operationalizes the 3A framework: Attraction is re-envisioned as spiritual pedagogy, Amenity is re-defined as holistic etic hospitality rooted in ḥalāl-ṭayyib values, and Accessibility is re-contextualized as a moral commitment to socio-economic justice and physical equity. The major challenge identified is the persistent methodological vacuum in translating abstract Islamic ethics into practical tools for destination management amid the growing threat of digital commodification. Consequently, this study recommends a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance model that subordinates industrial logic to the sacred sanctity of religious spaces. This research significantly advances Islamic tourism scholarship by establishing an operational, value-based destination management framework that bridges the dichotomy between normative religious philosophy and practical management efficiency, offering a robust model for sustainable and spiritually respectful tourism.
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