Islamic education in the contemporary era faces various challenges arising from social change, advances in digital technology, the globalization of values, and internal institutional constraints. These dynamics necessitate the renewal of Islamic education to ensure its continued relevance to contemporary demands without compromising its fundamental identity and values. This article aims to critically examine the major challenges confronting contemporary Islamic education, the emerging demands it faces, and strategic pathways for educational renewal. This study employs a qualitative approach through a literature review of relevant scholarly works. The findings indicate that the major challenges facing Islamic education include limited human resource capacity, insufficiently integrated curricula, a weak research culture, and disparities in educational quality across Islamic educational institutions. The novelty of this article lies in its integrative analysis of these challenges by conceptualizing human resources, curriculum, and research culture as interconnected structural and epistemological problems rather than as isolated issues. The findings suggest that the renewal of Islamic education should extend beyond structural and administrative reforms toward epistemological and pedagogical transformation grounded in the values of adab and spirituality. The article further highlights the importance of developing integrated curricula, strengthening teacher competencies, promoting the responsible use of digital technology, and cultivating a robust research culture as strategic foundations for advancing Islamic education in the contemporary era.
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