<![CDATA[Indonesia’s independence, proclaimed more than eight decades ago, has left behind a paradox: this nation is politically free, yet often remains enslaved in character. This study addresses this concern by reconstructing the meaning of independence through two key concepts in the Qur’an - hurriyah (responsible individual freedom) and istiqlal (collective independence of a nation) - as understood within the Nusantara exegetical tradition. Using a literature review method with a thematic exegesis (tafsir maudhu’i) approach and content analysis, this study examines exegetical works such as Al-Azhar, Al-Mishbah, and Tarjuman Al-Mustafid to identify the common thread between these two concepts. The results indicate that hurriyah and istiqlal are not two separate discourses but rather two complementary aspects: an individual’s inner freedom serves as a prerequisite for the emergence of collective self-reliance, while a nation’s sovereignty stands only on the foundation of citizens who are morally free. These findings are linked to the five core values of Character Education Enhancement (religious, nationalistic, independent, cooperative, and integrity), whose theological roots can be traced back to the framework of hurriyah and istiqlal. The contribution of this article is to offer a conceptual framework that bridges classical exegesis with contemporary character education policies. This study concludes that the nation’s character education will be more deeply rooted and meaningful if it is rediscovered through the lens of Nusantara exegesis, rather than being formulated solely from a national philosophical framework.]]>
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