The role of Islamic education in promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue: insights for Catholic educators

This research explores how Islamic educational principles and practices contribute to tolerance-building and interfaith dialogue in post-conflict settings, offering comparative insights for Catholic educators and other faith-based educational systems. Drawing on interviews with fifteen participants from Islamic educational institutions in North Maluku Province, Indonesia, this study examines how schools navigate post-conflict dynamics while fostering interfaith understanding and maintaining religious identity. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology to investigate how Islamic educational institutions navigate the balance between faith formation and openness to dialogue. Findings reveal four key themes: the theological foundations for tolerance within Islamic pedagogy; practical strategies for interfaith engagement; challenges in maintaining religious identity while promoting openness; and opportunities for collaboration between Islamic and Catholic educational institutions. The study contributes to understanding how different faith traditions can learn from each other in promoting tolerance while strengthening their distinctive educational missions.