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Abstract

Indonesia, as the nation with the world's largest Muslim population, has emerged as a significant arena for the development of contemporary Islamic thought. Over recent decades, Indonesian Muslim intellectuals, educational institutions, and Islamic organizations have actively sought to reconcile Islamic teachings with democratic governance, religious pluralism, human rights frameworks, and the multifaceted challenges of globalization. This article examines the evolution of contemporary Islamic thought in Indonesia by critically exploring the opportunities it presents for social transformation alongside the threats that potentially undermine its development. Employing a qualitative approach grounded in library research and critical content analysis, this study draws upon scholarly books, peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, and relevant historical sources to analyze major intellectual trends and contemporary debates. The findings indicate that contemporary Islamic thought in Indonesia has contributed significantly to the promotion of religious moderation, democratic participation, educational reform, interfaith dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. These developments have been supported by influential Muslim scholars and major Islamic organizations advocating contextual and inclusive understandings of Islam. Concurrently, the study identifies several formidable challenges, including religious extremism, identity politics, digital misinformation, ideological polarization, and the growing influence of transnational religious movements. These factors have created new tensions affecting the intellectual and social landscape of Indonesian Islam. The article argues that the future of contemporary Islamic thought in Indonesia depends upon strengthening critical scholarship, revitalizing Islamic education, promoting digital literacy, and reinforcing the values of moderation, justice, and tolerance. As a model of democratic and pluralistic Islam, Indonesia possesses significant potential to contribute meaningfully to contemporary Islamic discourse at both regional and global levels.

Keywords

Contemporary Islamic Thought Indonesia Religious Moderation Islamic Reform Democracy Pluralism Islamic Education

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Rohadi, A., & Abd Hasyim, I. . (2026). Contemporary Islamic Thought In Indonesia: Opportunities, Challenges, And Future Directions . Pasundan Social Science Development, 7(1), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.56457/pascidev.v7i1.421

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