ENHANCING SOCIAL HARMONY THROUGH INTERFAITH INTERACTION IN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS

الملخص

Interfaith interaction plays a significant role in fostering social harmony in pluralistic societies. In the context of Islamic boarding schools, engagement with diverse communities provides an important opportunity to develop tolerance and inclusive attitudes among students. This study aims to examine how interfaith interaction contributes to strengthening social harmony and religious moderation in Islamic boarding schools.

This study employed a qualitative approach within a community service framework, focusing on students’ interaction with communities of different religious backgrounds. The activities included social engagement, community-based interaction, and participation in shared social environments that encouraged dialogue and mutual understanding. The findings indicate that interfaith interaction significantly enhances students’ tolerance, empathy, and social awareness. Direct engagement with diverse communities enables students to reduce prejudice, develop mutual respect, and build inclusive perspectives. The results also show that continuous social interaction plays a crucial role in transforming abstract concepts of moderation into practical social behavior. This study concludes that interfaith interaction is an effective approach to promoting social harmony and religious moderation in Islamic educational settings. The findings provide practical implications for developing community-based programs that encourage dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence in diverse societies.