The Youth and The Primacy against Religious Radicalism through the Organization of Mahasiswa Ahlith Thariqah Al Mu‘tabarah An Nahdliyyah (MATAN) in Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, tariqa has become a choice to counter and fight against the radical groups that make youngsters as their targeted prey. An obvious example, among others, can be seen in the organization of Mahasiswa Ahlith Thariqah Al Mu‘tabarah An Nahdliyyah (MATAN). Employing phenomenological approach this study considers MATAN as a Muslim youth organization that puts a strong emphasis on the phenomenon of radicalism and positivism among youngsters, especially college students. This study maintains that MATAN has strived to synergize intellectuality and spirituality among the students with claims of loyalty to the preservation of moderate, tolerant, inclusive, and consistent Islam—in terms of sharī‘ah, ḥaqīqah, and ma‘rifah, while at the same time also maintaining the awareness as an integral part of Indonesian people who live in this country and, therefore, they must obey the rule of the country imbued with Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. These points are able to inspire every activity of the members of MATAN to actively promote and engage themselves within de-radicalization efforts. The finding of this study also confirms several studies and surveys conducted in Morocco, Algeria, and Mali, asserting that the tariqa has become a new fondness and is believed to be a savior of youngsters from religious extremism.