Upholding Religious Moderation through Local History and Culture: A Learning from Cirebon and Surakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyze the model of religious moderation in Cirebon and Surakarta and to analyze the contribution of local history and culture in the development of religious moderation in both regions. This research uses a qualitative approach with an analytical descriptive design. Data collection was carried out by interviews, observations, document studies.  Data analysis includes reduction, display, verification and interpretation. Finally, the validity of the data through triangulation and deeper observations. The research results show that religious moderation is not an empty concept at the implementation level, especially at the local level such as Cirebon as a pre-colonial region (center of Islamization) and Surakarta as a region formed during the colonial period with relatively sensitive political turmoil including religious dynamics. Both regions also show the large role of local history as capital of experience, religious dynamics and religious models that develop in a region, including in the context of developing religious moderation. Finally, religious culture, which is a product of the cultural sense that developed in Cirebon and Surakarta, has a role in the context of value references and models of religious moderation, at the same time it is also an important capital in efforts to build religious moderation.