The Advocacy and Empowerment of UIN Satu Tulungagung Students in Managing Religious Activities to Prevent Radicalism

Abstract

This article elucidates two main aspects: (1) The process of promoting moderate religious concepts and patriotism within student communities at UIN SATU Tulungagung, and (2) The strategies for guiding and empowering students in managing religious activities to counter the radicalism movement at the same institution. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilized a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology. The process of instilling moderate religious concepts and patriotism within student communities at UIN SATU Tulungagung involved the formulation and modeling of these ideologies by three student organizations within the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah (FUAD). This process focused on internalizing values and shaping the character of basic-level cadres, considering their diverse characteristics and cultural backgrounds within the institution's context. In addressing the radicalism movement, the strategy for guiding and empowering students on managing religious activities employed the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach. The fortification stages conducted by researchers comprised several steps. Firstly, a survey was conducted using questionnaires among first-semester students in the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Dakwah (FUAD) to gauge their understanding of religion. Subsequently, indoctrination sessions were organized within the student organization forums, facilitated by three communities within the faculty.