NEGOTIATING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN A MUSLIM MINORITY CONTEXT: A LOCAL CULTURE–BASED EDUCATIONAL MODEL FROM BALI

Abstract

This study aims to examine in depth the model of religious tolerance education grounded in local culture within a Muslim minority context in Bungaya, Bebandem, Karangasem, Bali. It seeks to reveal how local cultural values function as social and pedagogical resources in sustaining interreligious harmony in a predominantly Hindu society. Methodologically, the study employs a descriptive quantitative design complemented by a phenomenological approach. Data were collected by focusing on the lived experiences and roles of religious leaders and madrasah principals in Muslim minority areas, particularly in their efforts to implement and transmit models of religious tolerance education both within the broader community and in formal educational settings. The findings demonstrate that religious tolerance among Muslim minorities in Bungaya is constructed through locally rooted practices that emphasize mutual respect, cultural participation, and everyday interreligious engagement. Community leaders and religious figures play a central role in translating local cultural norms into educational practices that encourage dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence between Hindu and Muslim communities. This study implies that local culture–based tolerance education offers a sustainable and context-sensitive model for managing religious diversity in minority settings. The findings contribute to Islamic education and religious studies by highlighting the strategic role of local cultural wisdom in strengthening social cohesion and providing an alternative framework for religious tolerance education in multi-religious societies.