Globalizing Religious Moderation: Indonesia’s Experience of Religious Moderation for the ASEAN and Global Contexts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/jt.v8i2.45139Keywords:
Religious Moderation, ASEAN, Diplomacy, Pluralism, Islamic Radicalism.Abstract
This study aims to analyze the potentials and challenges of globalizing Indonesia’s policy of religious moderation within the ASEAN and broader international context. Amid growing polarization rooted in religion, extremism, and identity-based conflicts, the Indonesian government—through the Ministry of Religious Affairs—has developed the religious moderation policy as both a normative and strategic framework to preserve harmony within plural societies. Using a qualitative approach based on case studies and document analysis, this research draws on primary data from official reports by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and secondary data from relevant international sources. The findings indicate that Indonesia’s model of religious moderation has begun to gain attention in regional and global forums, particularly through its integration into educational initiatives, interfaith dialogue platforms, and diplomatic arenas such as ICROM and KMBAAA. Nevertheless, several dysfunctions persist: resistance from ideological groups, elitist and symbolic implementation, inconsistency with ongoing domestic discrimination, and the ceremonial nature of international actor involvement. These findings underscore the urgent need for more inclusive, community-based, and consistent strategies if religious moderation is to evolve into a global value system. This study offers an original contribution by positioning Indonesia’s religious moderation not merely as a domestic policy, but as a transnational normative model relevant for diplomacy and religious studies.
References
Ali-Fauzi, I. (2019). Disputes over Places of Worship in Indonesia: Evaluating the Role of the Interreligious Harmony Forum. Contentious Belonging: The Place of Minorities in Indonesia. Singapore: ISEAS.
Arfa, A. M., & Lasaiba, M. A. (2022). Pendidikan Multikultural dan Implementasinya di Dunia Pendidikan. Geoforum, 1(2), 36–49. doi: https://doi.org/10.30598/geoforumvol1iss2pp36-49
As’ad. (2021). Being al-wasatiyah agents: The role of azharite organization in the moderation of Indonesian religious constellation. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 11(2), 124–145. doi: https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.11.2.07
ASEAN. (2019). ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. ASEAN .ORG. Retrieved from https://asean.org/asean-human-rights-declaration/
Atmam, A. (2022). Mengenal Konferensi Islam ASEAN, Pertemuan Bertema Khairu Ummah yang Digelar di Bali. GNFI. Retrieved from https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2022/12/21/mengenal-konferensi-islam-asean-pertemuan-bertema-khairu-ummah-yang-digelar-di-bali
Ayu, D. I. (2023). Kemenag Gelar Konferensi Moderasi Beragama Asia-Afrika dan Amerika Latin, Bahas Perdamaian Global. Badan Litbang Dan Diklat Kementrian Agama. Retrieved from https://balitbangdiklat.kemenag.go.id/berita/kemenag-gelar-konferensi-moderasi-beragama-asia-afrika-dan-amerika-latin-bahas-perdamaian-global
Azis, A., Pabbajah, M., & Hannani, P. M. T. H. (2024). The authority of Khalwatiyah Tariqa of Sheikh Yusuf Al-Makassary on fostering religious moderation in South Sulawesi. International Journal of Islamic Thought.
Baba, M. A., Zainal, N. F., & Subeitan, S. M. (2023). Religious Moderation: Concept and Implementation in State Islamic Religious Universities. Al-Ulum, 23(2), 426–441.
Bahri, R., Rofiqi, M., & Kusaeri, R. (2025). Religious moderation education: A comparative study of Islamic approaches in Indonesia and Malaysia. International Studies in Catholic Education. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2025.2519727
Barjah. (2024). Rekomendasi dan Panca Aksi untuk Penguatan Moderasi Beragama. Badan Litbang Dan Diklat Kementrian Agama. Retrieved from https://balitbangdiklat.kemenag.go.id/berita/rekomendasi-dan-panca-aksi-untuk-penguatan-moderasi-beragama
BNPT RI. (2024). BNPT : Tahun 2024 Posisi Indonesia dalam GTI Masuk Kategori Negara Low Impacted by Terrorism. BNPT RI. Retrieved from https://www.bnpt.go.id/bnpt-tahun-2024-posisi-indonesia-dalam-gti-masuk-kategori-negara-low-impacted-by-terrorism
Brekke, T. (2011). Fundamentalism: Prophecy and protest in an age of globalization. Palgrave Macmillan. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139019620
Buehler, M. (2013). Revisiting the inclusion-moderation thesis in the context of decentralized institutions: The behavior of Indonesia’s Prosperous Justice Party in national and local politics. Party Politics, 19(2), 210–229. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068812462933
Cai, J., Wohn, D. Y., & Almoqbel, M. (2021). Moderation visibility: Mapping the strategies of volunteer moderators in live streaming micro communities. IMX 2021 - Proceedings of the 2021 ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences. doi: https://doi.org/10.1145/3452918.3458796
Carlucci, L. (2015). Psychology of religious fundamentalism and personal values: A psychological perspective. Ricerche Di Psicologia.
Cholil, S. (2022). First Essay Freedom of Religion amid Polarization and Religious Moderation Policy. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology, 6(2), 196–204. doi: https://doi.org/10.1558/isit.24603
Chomsah, A. (2025). MOOC Pintar, Platform Diklat Online Kemenag Banjir Peminat. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://ntt.kemenag.go.id/berita/524379/mooc-pintar-platform-diklat-online-kemenag-banjir-peminat
Chotimah, C., Qudsy, S. Z., & Yusuf, M. (2025). Superficial implementation of religious moderation in Islamic educational management. Cogent Education. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2442235
Colbran, N. (2010). Realities and challenges in realising freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia. International Journal of Human Rights. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13642980903155166
Daheri, M. (2023). Strengthening Religious Moderation: Learning from the Harmony of Multireligious People in Indonesia. Journal of Population and Social Studies, 31, 571–586. doi: https://doi.org/10.25133/JPSSv312023.032
Delea, M. G., Browne, L., Kaji, S., & Tchindebet, O. (2024). Factors influencing community engagement during Guinea Worm and Polio eradication endgames in Chad: Recommendations for “last mile” programming. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. doi: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.23-0635
Dewi, P. F. K. A. P., Perbowosari, H., & Wahyuni, N. N. T. (2025). The “Care” learning model: The value education for strengthening the religious moderation. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology.
Efendi, M. A. (2022). Indonesia Tuan Rumah Konferensi Islam ASEAN, Bahas Moderasi Beragama dan Pencegahan Ekstremisme. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/nasional/indonesia-tuan-rumah-konferensi-islam-asean-bahas-moderasi-beragama-dan-pencegahan-ekstremisme-zvjo3p#:~:text=Islam tingkat ASEAN.-,Konferensi kali kedua ini digelar di Denpasar%2C Bali%2C 21 -,Timor Leste%2C serta Arab Saudi.
Fadil, M., Marwinata, P., Jannah, S., & Siroj, A. M. (2024). Religious moderation and family resilience in the city of Malang. Samarah, 8(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i1.19821
Ginting, J. S. (2021). Tolerance in the Frame of Religious Diversity (Islam and Christianity) In the Karo Community in Tigabinanga District, Karo Regency. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(3), 588–593. doi: https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.800524
Hambali, H. M. R., Rusmana, D., Susanti, S. S., Khermarinah, K., & Fakhrurrazi, F. (2022). Islamic religious education teachers’ strategies in fostering students’ religious values in madrasah. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 14(4), 6511–6516.
Hati, L. P. (2023). Religious Harmony Forum: Ideal Religious Moderation in the Frame of Building Tolerance in Medan City, Indonesia. Pharos Journal of Theology, 104(4). doi: https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.420
Hernawan, W., Riyani, I., & Busro, B. (2021). Religious moderation in Naskah Wawacan Babad Walangsungsang: A Sundanese religious diversity wisdom. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 77(4), 13.
Hill, M., & Hupe, P. (2014). Implementing public policy: An introduction to the study of operational governance. Sage.
Hunowu, M., Kamaruzzaman, K., Pakuna, H. B., & Fata, A. K. (2025). Religious pluralism in Muslim-majority countries: Comparing Gorontalo and Negeri Sembilan. Miqot, 49(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v49i1.1350
Indah. (2024). Dorong Moderasi Beragama di ASEAN, Kemenag Gelar Penguatan Manhaj Ahlussunah Wal Jama’ah. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/internasional/dorong-moderasi-beragama-di-asean-kemenag-gelar-penguatan-manhaj-ahlussunah-wal-jama-ah-ULDRm
Junaedi, E. (2019). Inilah Moderasi Beragama Perspektif Kemenag. Harmoni, 18(2), 182–186. doi: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32488/harmoni.v18i2.414
Kemenag RI. (2023a). Are You Waiting for The Annoucement of International Conference on Religious Moderation (ICROM) 2023? Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://bali.kemenag.go.id/denpasar/berita/50338/are-you-waiting-for-the-annoucement-of-international-conference-on-religious-moderation-icrom-2023
Kemenag RI. (2023b). Pesan Penuh Hikmah di Jumat Berkah Kakanwil Kemenag Lampung. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://lampung.kemenag.go.id/v1/berita/detail/pesan-penuh-hikmah-di-jumat-berkah-kakanwil-kemenag-lampung
Kementerian Agama RI. (2019). Moderasi Beragama. Jakarta: Badan Litbang dan Diklat Kementerian Agama RI. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
Khoeron, M. (2025). Alissa Wahid: Moderasi Beragama, Kontribusi Indonesia untuk Dunia. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/internasional/alissa-wahid-moderasi-beragama-kontribusi-indonesia-untuk-dunia-s28g4
Kindermann, N., Peels, R., Liefbroer, A. I., & Schoonmade, L. (2025). Mapping the concept of fundamentalism: A scoping review. Politics and Religion. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755048324000385
Laffan, M. F. (2003). Islamic nationhood and colonial Indonesia: The umma below the winds. Routledge.
Long, G. M. (2011). Relativism in contemporary liberal political philosophy. In M. Baghramian (Ed.), A Companion to Relativism. Wiley-Blackwell. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444392494.ch16
Lukito, R. (2012). Legal pluralism in Indonesia: Bridging the unbridgeable. Routledge.
Lumintang, S. P. N. I. (2022). Christianity and Plurality in Indonesia: Theological and Ideological Synergy for Religious and National Moderation. Proceedings of the International Conference on Theology, Humanities, and Christian Education (ICONTHCE 2021), 669(7), 56–60. Atlantis Press.
Lune, H., & Berg, B. L. (2017). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Boston: Pearson.
Ma`arif, M. A., Rofiq, M. H., Kausar, S., Sirojuddin, A., Kartiko, A., & Hasan, M. S. (2024). Shaping Students Moderate Islamic Character At Madrasah. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(2), 323–335. doi: https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i2.34029
Mahmudah, S., Alamsyah, A., Firdawaty, L., & Asnawi, H. S. (2025). Resistance to religious moderation in Indonesian’s lower to middle-class communities. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun.
Mahrus, E., Prasojo, Z. H., & Busro, B. (2020). Messages of religious moderation education in sambas Islamic manuscripts. Madania: Jurnal Kajian Keislaman, 24(1), 39–48.
Makin, A. (2016). Identitas Keacehan Dalam Isu-Isu Syariatisasi, Kristenisasi, Aliran Sesat dan Hegemoni Barat. Islamica: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 11(1), 113–134.
Manse, M. (2024). The plural legacies of legal pluralism: local practices and contestations of customary law in late colonial Indonesia. Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis, 56(3), 328–348. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/27706869.2024.2377447
Masykur, H., Hermawanlla, M. A., Masruri, M., & Hasse, J. (2024). Reviving religious moderation for world peace from the Religious Moderation House in Indonesia. Journal of Ecohumanism.
Matzat, U., & Rooks, G. (2014). Styles of moderation in online health and support communities: An experimental comparison of their acceptance and effectiveness. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 147–153. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.043
McNeish, R., Albizu-Jacob, A., & Memmoli, C. (2022). Engaging the community to effectively plan and implement community-based mental health programs. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-021-09767-z
Mu’ti, A., & Burhani, A. N. (2019). The limits of religious freedom in Indonesia: with reference to the first pillar Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa of Pancasila. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 9(1), 111–134.
Muhdiarta, U. (2025). Investigating the Challenges of Bureaucratic Reform in Developing Countries: A Case Study Approach. Ilomata International Journal of Social Science, 6(2), 689–702. doi: https://doi.org/10.61194/IJSS.V6I2.1687
Mulyana, R. (2023). Religious moderation in Islamic religious educatiotextbook and implementation in Indonesia. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V79I1.8592
Nasir, M. A. (2019). Revisiting the Javanese Muslim Slametan: Islam, local tradition, honor and symbolic communication. Al-Jami’ah, 57(2), 329–358. doi: https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2019.572.329-358
Nolte, P. (2015). Social Inequality in History (Stratification and Classes). International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition), 338–344. doi: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.62021-4
Nugraha, I. P., Siantoro, G., Indahwati, N., & Hidayat, T. (2023). Increasing Learning Motivation by Developing Interactive Multimedia In Physical, Sport And Health Education (PJOK) Lessons at SMP Negeri 14 Madiun. JUARA: Jurnal Olahraga, 8(2), 748–757.
Pajarianto, H., Pribadi, I., & Galugu, N. S. (2023). Youth religious moderation model and tolerance strengthening through intellectual humility. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 79(1).
Pratama, M. R. (2023). Kemenpora Baru Saja Gelar ASEAN Youth Interfaith Camp, Apa Itu? Detik.Com. Retrieved from https://sport.detik.com/sport-lain/d-6958668/kemenpora-baru-saja-gelar-asean-youth-interfaith-camp-apa-itu
Rafli, M. (2024). Indeks Terorisme Indonesia Menurun pada 2023. GoodStats.Id. Retrieved from https://data.goodstats.id/statistic/indeks-terorisme-indonesia-menurun-pada-2023-vcvpI#google_vignette
Ropi, I. (2019). Whither Religious Moderation?The State and Management of Religious Affairs in Contemporary Indonesia. Studia Islamika, 26(3), 597–601. doi: https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v26i3.14055
Rozaq, M. K., Anhar, S. H., & Miftah, M. (2024). Implementasi kebijakan moderasi beragama terhadap harmoni pendidikan Islam di SMAN 1 Bae Kudus. Jurnal Pemerintahan Dan Kebijakan (JPK), 5(2), 101–114.
Rusmana, D., Gunawan, H., & Martiningsih, D. (2025). Instilling moderation: Transforming religious education in Madrasah Aliyah. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 13(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i1.1830
Salam, H. (2024). Waspadai Ancaman Teror Jelang Pemilu 2024. Kompas.Id. Retrieved from https://www.kompas.id/artikel/waspadai-ancaman-teror-jelang-pemilu-2024
Salim, A., Hermawan, W., Bukido, R., Umar, M., Ali, N., & ... (2023). Moderasi Beragama: Implementasi dalam Pendidikan, Agama dan Budaya Lokal. philpapers.org. Retrieved from https://philpapers.org/rec/ISMMBI
Salu, S. B. R. (2023). Early church hospitality-based Pentecostal mission in the religious moderation frame of Indonesia. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V79I1.8209
Sani, M. R. (2023). Kemenag: KMBAAA Ikhtiar Penguatan Moderasi Beragama di Level Global. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/pers-rilis/kemenag-kmbaaa-ikhtiar-penguatan-moderasi-beragama-di-level-global-ILcHT
Santika, E. F. (2023). Sederet Skor Indeks Terorisme Negara ASEAN, Indonesia Masuk Tiga Besar Paling Terdampak. Databoks. Katadata. Co. Id. Retrieved from https://databoks.katadata.co.id/demografi/statistik/b465c99e30ddf9f/sederet-skor-indeks-terorisme-negara-asean-indonesia-masuk-tiga-besar-paling-terdampak
Seering, J. (2020). Reconsidering self-moderation: the role of research in supporting community-based models for online content moderation. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 4(CSCW2), 1–28.
Setia, P., & Syarif, D. (2022). Reviewing the Role of the Coordinating Board for Campus Da’wah Institutions (BKLDK) In Spreading Radicalism. Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 22(2), 295–324.
Setkab.go.id. (2022). Wapres Buka Konferensi Islam Tingkat ASEAN di Bali. Setkab.Go.Id. Retrieved from https://setkab.go.id/wapres-buka-konferensi-islam-tingkat-asean-di-bali/
Sihotang, A. P., Izziyana, W. V., & Wirawan, P. (2025). Legal Protection of Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities in Indonesia from The Perspective of The Social Environment. 1st International Conference on Social Environment Diversity (ICOSEND 2024), 686–692. Atlantis Press.
Sisdiyanto, M Sidik. (2024). Pentingnya Moderasi Beragama Bagi Pelajar Lintas Negara. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/kolom/pentingnya-moderasi-beragama-bagi-pelajar-lintas-negara-g9ybE
Sisdiyanto, Muchamad Sidik. (2024). Ta’aruf Siswa Madrasah Perekat Kebersamaan dan Pengenalan Moderasi Beragama. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/kolom/ta-aruf-siswa-madrasah-perekat-kebersamaan-dan-pengenalan-moderasi-beragama-5CcOf#:~:text=kerjasama antarumat beragama.-,Ini dapat mencegah munculnya konflik dan ketegangan yang disebabkan oleh,dan mendunia sesuai tagline Madrasah.
South, J., & Phillips, G. (2014). Evaluating community engagement as part of the public health system. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(7), 692–696. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2013-203742
Steiner, A. A., & Farmer, J. (2018). Engage, participate, empower: Modelling power transfer in disadvantaged rural communities. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 36(2), 304–322. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654417701730
Sumaktoyo, N. G. (2020). A price for democracy? religious legislation and religious discrimination in post-Soeharto Indonesia. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, 56(1), 23–42.
Sun, Y., Hsieh, J., & Gao, X. (Andy). (2025). Integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis With Reflexive Thematic Analysis in Theme Development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251318749
Supriatna, E., Syarif, D., Afrilia, A., Sundari, A., & Setia, P. (2024). A Waqf Empowerment Model Based on Benefit Analysis. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 14(1), 303–319.
Sya’bani, S. M. (2024). Indeks Kerukunan 2025-2029 Ditargetkan Capai 78 Poin, Ini Langkah Kemenag. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://kemenag.go.id/nasional/indeks-kerukunan-2025-2029-ditargetkan-capai-78-poin-ini-langkah-kemenag-V5Rxb
Tempo.co. (2021). AYIC Bangun Kerukunan Pemuda di ASEAN. Tempo.Co. Retrieved from https://www.tempo.co/info-tempo/ayic-bangun-kerukunan-pemuda-di-asean--845034
Tinambunan, E. R. L., Gegel, I. K., Sarbini, P. B., & Baik, G. Z. (2025). Implication Abu Dhabi Document: To build religious moderation with brotherhood-sisterhood and friendship in Indonesia. Cogent Arts and Humanities. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2451514
Tran, C., Take, K., Champion, K., & Greenstadt, R. (2024). Challenges in restructuring community-based moderation. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. doi: https://doi.org/10.1145/3686954
Umam. (2025). Pecahkan Rekor! Hampir 160 Ribu Pendaftar Serbu MOOC Pintar Kemenag. Kemenag RI. Retrieved from https://balitbangdiklat.kemenag.go.id/berita/pecahkan-rekor-hampir-160-ribu-pendaftar-serbu-mooc-pintar-kemenag
Untung, N., Cahyono, H., Marbun, P., & Rajagukguk, J. S. P. (2025). Church planting strategies in the context of religious moderation in multicultural societies. HTS Teologiese Studies, 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v81i1.10498
Wulan, M. K. (2022). Konferensi Islam ASEAN Diharap Teguhkan Posisi Umat Islam di Kancah Global. Kompas.Id. Retrieved from https://www.kompas.id/artikel/konferensi-islam-asean-diharapan-teguhkan-posisi-umat-islam-di-kancah-global
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Efendi Rahmat, Dindin Solahudin, Aep Kusnawan, Rohmanur Azis
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in Temali: Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).