<![CDATA[This study examines various issues faced by the Religious Outreach Institution of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in North Sumatra in carrying out its functions of guidance, strengthening Islamic values, and providing religious outreach services to the community. The study focuses on managerial aspects, institutional matters, the quality of religious preachers, and the effectiveness of outreach programs implemented at the provincial level. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observations, and reviews of official documents from MUI North Sumatra. The results of the study indicate that the MUI outreach institution still faces several challenges, including suboptimal coordination between sectors, limited program funding, gaps in preacher competencies, and a lack of innovative media and outreach strategies that are adaptive to digital developments. In addition, external challenges such as the plurality of society, the rapid flow of information, and the influence of transnational religious ideologies also affect the dynamics of da'wah within the MUI of North Sumatra. This study emphasizes the need to strengthen institutional capacity, improve the professionalism of da'i, and develop a technology-based collaborative da'wah model to enhance MUI's strategic role in guiding Muslims in North Sumatra. The findings of this study are expected to serve as a reference for policymakers in formulating more responsive directions and strategies for da'wah that address community needs. [Penelitian ini mengkaji berbagai problematika yang dihadapi Lembaga Dakwah Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Sumatera Utara dalam menjalankan fungsi pembinaan, penguatan nilai-nilai keislaman, serta pelayanan dakwah kepada masyarakat. Fokus kajian diarahkan pada aspek manajerial, kelembagaan, kualitas sumber daya dai, serta efektivitas program dakwah yang dilaksanakan di tingkat provinsi. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan telaah dokumen resmi MUI Sumatera Utara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lembaga dakwah MUI masih menghadapi sejumlah kendala, meliputi kurang optimalnya koordinasi antarbidang, keterbatasan pendanaan program, kesenjangan kompetensi dai, serta minimnya inovasi media dan strategi dakwah yang adaptif terhadap perkembangan digital. Selain itu, tantangan eksternal seperti pluralitas masyarakat, derasnya arus informasi, dan pengaruh ideologi keagamaan transnasional turut memengaruhi dinamika dakwah di lingkungan MUI Sumatera Utara. Penelitian ini menegaskan perlunya penguatan kapasitas kelembagaan, peningkatan profesionalisme dai, serta pengembangan model dakwah kolaboratif berbasis teknologi untuk meningkatkan peran strategis MUI dalam membina umat Islam di Sumatera Utara. Temuan penelitian ini diharapkan menjadi rujukan bagi pengambil kebijakan dalam merumuskan arah dan strategi dakwah yang lebih responsif terhadap kebutuhan masyarakat.]]]>
