Interreligious Coexistence in Islam: Implications for Islamic Education and the Achievement of SDGs

Authors

  • Gulzhaina K. Kassymova Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan Author
  • Engkizar Engkizar UCYP University, Malaysia Author
  • Mustafa Tevfik Hebebci Necmettin Erbakan University Konya, Turkiye Author
  • Yerassyl K. Talgatov Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan Author

Keywords:

Islamic education, tolerance, interreligious relations, sustainable development goals, multiculturalism

Abstract

The practice of interreligious coexistence in Islam holds significant relevance for Islamic education, particularly in shaping tolerant, just, and inclusive character within multicultural societies. Islam, as a religion that emphasizes peace and justice, provides a normative foundation for curriculum development and educational practices that encourage learners to respect differences, build harmonious relations with adherents of other faiths, and understand the rights and obligations among religious communities. This study aims to analyze the practice of interreligious life from an Islamic perspective with a focus on its implications for Islamic education. Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected from 20 informants consisting of academics, education practitioners, and community leaders through in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12 software to identify key patterns and themes. The findings reveal four major aspects: respect for each religion’s principles, universal justice without discrimination, inclusive social relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, and equality of rights and obligations among religious groups. The implications highlight that Islamic values can serve as a normative framework for strengthening multicultural-based Islamic education and fostering tolerance, while simultaneously contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly quality education (SDG 4), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), peace and justice (SDG 16), and global partnerships (SDG 17).

References

Abishev, A. R., Abdullah, M., & Abdulghani, N. A. (2025). Five Challenges to Quranic Learning in Islamic Educational Institutions. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(3), 83–92. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/11

Aimaganbetova, O., Lashkova, Y., Madaliyeva, Z., Zakaryanova, S., Sadvakassova, Z., & Kassen, G. (2023). Youth’s Disposition of Radicalism in a Poly-Ethnic and Poly-Confessional Society from the Perspective of Tolerance/Intolerance. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 10(1), 141–164. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1155

Akem, U., Hamdan, N. M., Iskandar, M., Efendi, Y., & Halimahturrafiah, E. (2025). Digital Technology in Quranic Learning: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 49–64. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/index

Al-Obaydi, L. H. (2023). Humanistic learning elements in a blended learning environment: a study in an EFL teaching context. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(5), 3098–3111. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1919717

Anugrah, D. S., Supriadi, U., & Anwar, S. (2024). Multicultural Education: Literature Review of Multicultural-Based Teacher Education Curriculum Reform. The Eurasia Proceedings of Educational and Social Sciences, 39, 93–101. https://doi.org/10.55549/epess.875

Aryasutha, R., Azizah Ria Kusrini, N., Nurul Ulya, J., & Syamsiah Septiani, N. (2025). Opportunities and Challenges for Islamic Education Teachers in Using Artificial Intelligence in Learning. Muaddib.Intischolar.Id, 2(1), 43. https://muaddib.intischolar.id/index.php/muaddib/article/view/6

Basri, B. (2022). the Islamic Education Without Discrimination in the Qur’an Perspective. Jurnal At-Tibyan: Jurnal Ilmu Alqur’an Dan Tafsir, 7(1), 121–135. https://doi.org/10.32505/at-tibyan.v7i1.4212

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2, 17–37.

Busral, B., Rambe, K. F., Gunawan, R., Jaafar, A., Habibi, U. A., & Engkizar, E. (2025). Lived da’wah: Temporal structuring of religious practice in Tabligh jamaat’s daily congregation. Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah, 45(2), 377–398. https://doi.org/10.21580/jid.v45.2.28479

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design & Quantitave Approaches. SAGE Publication.

Dasrizal, D., Rambe, K. F., Sihombing, C. D., Khalid, E., & Safitri, D. A. (2025). Distortion of Quranic Interpretation on Social Media: An Analysis of the Spread of Misleading Meanings. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 65–82. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/8

Easterbrook, M. J., Hadden, I. R., & Nieuwenhuis, M. (2019). Identities in context: How social class shapes inequalities in education. In The Social Psychology of Inequality (pp. 103–121). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28856-3_7

Elius, M. (2023). Interfaith Dialogue: An Islamic Framework. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Humanities, 68(2), 193–206. https://doi.org/10.3329/jasbh.v68i2.70363

Elizabeth, M. B. S. & T. J. (2016). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. In The Jossey Bass Higher and Adult Education Series (Vol. 5, Issue 1). John Wiley & Sons.

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Hamzah, M. I., Fakhruddin, F. M., Oktavia, G., & Febriani, A. (2023). Changes in Students’ Motivation to Memorize the Quran: A Study at Quranic Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 2(3), 240–258. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v2i3.240

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Muslim, H., Mulyadi, I., & Putra, Y. A. (2025). Ten Criteria for an Ideal Teacher to Memorize the Quran. Journal of Theory and Research Memorization Quran, 1(1), 26–39. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer

Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Sarianto, D., Ayad, N., Rahman, A., Febriani, A., Oktavia, G., Puspita, R., & Rahman, I. (2024). Analysis of Quran Education Problems in Majority Muslim Countries. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 3(1), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v3i1.209

Engkizar, E., Sarianti, Y., Namira, S., Budiman, S., Susanti, H., & Albizar, A. (2022). Five Methods of Quran Memorization in Tahfidz House of Fastabiqul Khairat Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 1(1), 54–67. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v1i1.27

Faridah, A., Rosyidah, U., & Al Farizi, M. (2025). Integrating Multicultural Education and Islam Wasathiyah: Strategies for Fostering Inclusive Children’s Educational Environments. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(2), 2626–2637. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i2.7271

Firdaus, S. A., & Suwendi, S. (2025). Fostering Social Harmony: The Impact of Islamic Character Education in Multicultural Societies. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(1), 942–955. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6579

Fitriani, M. I. (2023). Islamic Religious Education and Interreligious Tolerance in A Multi-Religious Country: Challenges, Typological Implications, and the Proposed Strategy. Ulumuna, 27(1), 416–449. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v27i1.765

Hadi, A., Anim, S., & Yasin, H. (2024). Integration of Islamic Principles and Modern Educational Theories in Islamic Education. QALAMUNA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Agama, 16(2), 1385–1398. https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v16i2.6105

Hadi, H., Suprapto, S., Djuita, W., & Muhtar, F. (2024). Mengintegrasikan Pendidikan Multikultural dalam Upaya Resolusi Konflik Etnis. Jurnal Ilmiah Profesi Pendidikan, 9(1), 148–159. https://doi.org/10.29303/jipp.v9i1.1937

Harpendya, G., Sumantri, S. H., & Wahyudi, B. (2022). Pendidikan perdamaian: sebuah urgensi di tengah maraknya konflik sosial berdimensi suku, agama, ras, dan antar-golongan di indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah Mimbar Demokrasi, 21(2), 77–86. https://doi.org/10.21009/jimd.v21i2.26488

Hutagaol, M. V., Zainal Arifin, Anip Dwi Saputro, Mohammad Muslih, & Syamsul Arifin. (2025). Implementing Religious Moderation as a Strategy for Anti-Discrimination Education in Islamic School Management. Nidhomul Haq : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 10(2), 353–366. https://doi.org/10.31538/ndhq.v10i2.140

Ibrahim, M., Islam, S., Zohriah, O., & Azid, M. (2024). Addressing contemporary ethical and moral issues through islamic education. Journal on Islamic Studies, 1(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.35335/kbbzar83

Jackson, K., & Bazeley, P. (2019). Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo. In Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (Vol. 15, Issue 10, pp. 868–868). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2008.01257.x

Khair, M., Tang, M., & Mubarok, M. (2024). Peserta Didik Yang Berwawasan Multikultural : Studi Literatur. EDUCATIONAL : Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan & Pengajaran, 4(2), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.51878/educational.v4i2.2889

Khairunisa, F., Yala, M. T. K., & Ibrahim, B. (2025). The Effect of Instagram Reels on Arabic Vocabulary Learning Outcomes. Journal of Arabic Literature, Teaching and Learning, 1(1), 47–53. https://jaliter.intischolar.id/index.php/jaliter/article/view/5

Khilji, G., & Jogezai, N. A. (2023). A window to peace and tolerance or otherwise: a multi-perspective approach to curriculum analysis. Journal for Multicultural Education, 17(2), 184–195. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-08-2022-0102

Lewis, S. (2015). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. In Health Promotion Practice (4th ed., Vol. 16, Issue 4, pp. 473–475). https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839915580941

Maghfiroh, A. M., & Sugiarto, D. (2024). Inclusive Pedagogy: Fostering Equal Humanity Through Religious and Legal Education for Sustainable Peace. … International Conference on …, 3(1)). https://doi.org/10.70062/incoils.v3i1.134

Mahmud, A., Zamroni, & Ilyas, H. (2025). Islam and Tolerance Education for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Profetika: Jurnal Studi Islam, 25(02), 387–404. https://doi.org/10.23917/profetika.v25i02.8510

Maidugu, U., … A. I. I., & 2024, undefined. (2024). Islamic Education and its Value: A Vital Means for the Formation National CharacterNANo ranking found for “Bulletin of Islamic Research.” Yayasanpendidikantafsirhadis.Com, 2(4), 725–744. https://yayasanpendidikantafsirhadis.com/index.php/bir/article/view/165

Moleong, L. J. (2002). Penelitian kualitatif Penelitian kualitatif. In Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosda Karya (Issue c). Remaja Rosda karya. http://www.academia.edu/download/54257684/Tabrani._ZA_2014-Dasar-dasar_Metodologi_Penelitian_Kualitatif.pdf

Muhja, Z. A., & Shahnaz, L. (2026). Developing a Culture of Tolerance Through Islamic Religious Education. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 10(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v10i1.304

Murphy, K., Pettis, S., & Wray, D. (2016). Building Peace: The Opportunities and Limitations of Educational Interventions in Countries with Identitybased Conflicts. Peace Education: International Perspectives, 1, 35–50. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474233675.ch-002

Nila, L., Arifin, M., & Nina, N. (2025). Improving Inclusivity in Elementary Schools Through Structured Multicultural Education Models and Comprehensive Teacher Training. Jurnal Pendidikan Administrasi Perkantoran (JPAP), 13(1), 451–460. https://doi.org/10.26740/jpap.v13n1.p451-460

Pujianti, E., & Nugraha, H. A. (2025). Role of Islamic Religious Education Teachers in Shaping the Inclusive Character of Students. Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics, and Literature, 4(001), 371–380. https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v4i001.402

Rahman, I., Wati, W., Putri, N., Wulandari, R., & Habibi, U. A. (2025). Commercialization of Quranic Tahfidz Houses in Indonesia: Da’wah or Business? Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 34–48. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/6

Rahman, K., Ahmed, K., Chaudhary, A. I., Nadeem, K. A., Shukla, N., Simon, S., & Anwer, S. M. (2024). The Role of Religions in Fostering Peace, Harmony, and Justice. Policy Perspectives, 21(2), 155–193. https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.21.2.sr1

Rais, R., Muslimin, M., & Zulty, L. (2025). Character Education in a Multicultural Context: Strategies for Strengthening Values of Tolerance in Schools. Journal of Pedagogi, 2(6), 20–28. https://doi.org/10.62872/41ntnm91

Rockenbach, A. N., Mayhew, M. J., Bowman, N. A., Morin, S. M., & Riggers-Piehl, T. (2017). An Examination of Non-Muslim College Students’ Attitudes Toward Muslims. Journal of Higher Education, 88(4), 479–504. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2016.1272329

Saada, N. (2023). Educating for global citizenship in religious education: Islamic perspective. International Journal of Educational Development, 103, 102894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102894

Sahin, A. (2017). Religious literacy, interfaith learning and civic education in pluralistic societies: An Islamic educational perspective. In Interfaith Education for All: Theoretical Perspectives and Best Practices for Transformative Action (pp. 45–53). SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6351-170-4

Setiawan, A., Purnomo, P., Marzuki, M., Charismana, D. S., & Zaman, A. R. B. (2024). The implementation of tolerance values through multicultural education program. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan, 21(2), 332–341. https://doi.org/10.21831/jc.v21i2.71337

Shaleh, M., Tobroni, Mundir, & Umiarso. (2024). Development of a Holistic-integrative Islamic Religious Education Curriculum in an Integrated Islamic School. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2024(113), 227–241. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2024.113.13

Shawmi, A. N., Rizky, M., Dewi, W. A., Arbaina, S., & Akbar, M. (2025). A Culture of Religious Moderation as a Means of Internalizing Character Values and Strengthening Harmony among Elementary School Students. Terampil: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Dasar, 12(1), 178–197. https://doi.org/10.24042/x90j7984

Shukri, A. S. M. (2023). Hamka’s Discourse on Sufism in the ‘Verse of Light.’ Al-Itqan: Journal of Islamic Sciences and Comparative Studies, 8(5), 21–39. https://myjurnal.mohe.gov.my/public/article-view.php?id=211503

Srinio, F. (2025). Comparison of Islamic and Western Education Systems. E-Journal (PD TII), 2(1), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.59373/adiluhung.v2i1.114

Sugiyono, A. (2019). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan: Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D. Alfabeta.

Supriyatno, T., & Ubabuddin, U. (2019). Internalization of multicultural values in learning islamic education. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2019(10), 1–7.

Tang, M., Hasbullah, H., & Sudirman, S. (2018). Cultural Diversity in Al-Qur’an Perspective. International Journal on Advanced Science, Education, and Religion, 1(2), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.33648/ijoaser.v1i2.11

Trisnani, A., Islam, M. T., & Hidayatullah, E. A. (2025). Hamka’s Philosophy of Ḥikmah in Tafsīr al-Azhar: Addressing the Crisis of Adab in Muslim Societies. Islamica: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 19(2), 296–320. https://doi.org/10.15642/islamica.2025.19.2.296-320

Yana, H. H., Andrianto, D., Nawawi, M. L., Sudrajat, W., Kurniawan, W., & Khusnia, U. (2024). Moderated Coexistence: Exploring Religious Tensions Through the Lens of Peace, Justice, and Human Rights. Raudhah, 9(1), 68–82. https://doi.org/10.48094/raudhah.v9i1.605

Yusuf, M., Pajarianto, H., Halim, I., Amriani, & Zhang, M. (2025). The Life Experiences of Non-Muslim Students at Muhammadiyah University. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(2), 438–457. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i2.183

Zahra, S. A., Karima, S., Rohfitta, N., Gani, A., Kesuma, G. C., & Fatoni, A. (2025). The Social Education Values in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat, Verses 11-13. Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI), 7(4), 2792-2803–2792– 2803. https://doi.org/10.61227/arji.v7i4.581

Zembylas, M. (2011). Toleration and coexistence in conflicting societies: Some tensions and implications for education. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 19(3), 385–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2011.600699

Zurayah, H., & Lubis, P. H. (2026). Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Religious Moderation Policies in Islamic Education. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 10(1), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v10i1.266

Downloads

Published

2025-11-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Kassymova, G. K., Engkizar, E., Hebebci, M. T., & Talgatov, Y. K. (2025). Interreligious Coexistence in Islam: Implications for Islamic Education and the Achievement of SDGs. Muaddib: Journal of Islamic Teaching and Learning, 1(3), 79-92. https://muaddib.intischolar.id/index.php/muaddib/article/view/26