Al-Qur’an Literacy: A Strategy and Learning Steps in Improving Al-Qur’an Reading Skills through Action Research

Abstract

There was an 11% increase in Qur’an illiteracy from 2015 to 2018 although Indonesia is a Muslim majority country. This fact sparks a question on the Islamic Education Studies (Pendidikan Agama Islam, PAI) implementation as a mandatory curriculum in Indonesia, which is still incapable of solving problems related to Qur’an illiteracy. This research was conducted in collaboration with several parties to designate practical steps aim at improving Al-Qur'an literacy in high school students in Bandung, West Java through an action research design 1,975 students. The research results suggest seven practical steps in solving Qur’an reading skills issues as critical reflections in improving students’ Al-Qur’an reading skills. These steps are abbreviated into LITERAT, which summarizes the syntax in reading the Qur’an. Its implementation is proven to have significantly improved students’ Qur’an reading skills. This research concludes that LITERAT is a relatively effective learning method in improving students’ Qur’an literacy. This finding is believed to contribute to the succession of Qur’an illiteracy eradication in West Java.