DefinePK

Abstract

Living in a rapidly changing global society often poses uncertainty to communities. One of the common examples is the erosion of many socio-cultural values. However, this condition does not occur in the local Islamic community, An-Nadzir. Given this fact, the current study discussed the historical traces and defensive education strategies of this local Islamic community in Gowa Regency South Sulawesi. The study collected data from in-depth interviews with key figures in the An-Nadzir community, such as spiritual figures, school principals, community members, and the surrounding community. The results showed that the An-Nadzir community is a historical trace marking the relationship between universal and local Islamic values that form an identity with unique religious characteristics. They can build harmonious coexistence amidst differences. Despite living in the middle of the city with all the social changes, modernity, and digital disruption, the An-Nadzir community can survive and adapt by adhering to local wisdom and not abandoning their local Islamic identity. This resilience cannot be separated from the value education system that they instill both through formal (schools) and non-formal changes (mosques and households). Then, this system is passed down from generation to generation. This research made a significant contribution to the study of Islam in Indonesia. Moreover, it offered an alternative narrative about the diversity of Islamic expressions integrated with local culture, showing the dynamics between Islamic traditions and unique local contexts.