The pluralistic nature of Indonesian society, with its high level of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, faces various challenges, including radicalism, extremism, and intolerance that threaten national unity. The concept of Islam Nusantara emerged as a local response to these dynamics, offering a model of religiosity that is moderate, contextual, and accommodating to local cultures. Although numerous descriptive studies on Islam Nusantara exist, a research gap remains, resulting in a lack of in-depth analysis linking this concept to theories of religious moderation and its implications for Islamic religious education in both formal and non-formal educational institutions. This study aims to analyze the concept, characteristics, and foundations of Islam Nusantara as a model of religious moderation applied in Indonesia. Using a literature review based on a qualitative-theological approach, this study found that Islam Nusantara possesses five main characteristics: contextual, tolerant, respectful of tradition, progressive, and liberating. This concept is grounded in the Ahlussunnah wal Jama'ah (Aswaja) tradition with the principles of tawassuth, tasamuh, tawazun, and i'tidal. The practical implications of this research include strengthening the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) curriculum in schools, madrasas, and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) through a contextual and cultural approach to support deradicalization and the development of moderate character. This research is expected to contribute to the development of religious education relevant to Indonesia's diverse society.
Copyrights © 2026