Nurturing Islamic knowledge: the contribution of Jamaah Nur’s religious literacy programs

Religious literacy is essential for understanding religion and for the foundation of an ideal religious identity. However, the current situation among the younger generation indicates a declining interest in religious learning and in reading classical Islamic literature. This condition presents a significant challenge, as a proper understanding of religion is crucial for fostering a peaceful and tolerant society. Through the use of a constructivist paradigm, this qualitative phenomenological study observes how a relatively understudied Islamic transnational movement in Indonesia, known as Jamaah Nur, transmits the mainstream thoughts of Said Nursi and promotes religious literacy among young Muslims. The research focuses on the Nur Semesta Foundation, as the official representative of Jamaah Nur in Indonesia, and examines how its Religious Literacy Programs are implemented and experienced by participating students. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with thirteen informants, and document analysis, and were then thematically analysed to identify shared meanings and lived experiences. The findings indicate that the Religious Literacy Program operates through three main initiatives: the Regular Reading Program, the Said Nursi Corner, and the Risalah Nur Press. These initiatives have proven effective in cultivating reading habits, expanding religious understanding, and influencing participants’ moral behaviour, particularly among students residing in dormitories. They also foster motivation to disseminate Said Nursi’s transformative ideas within the wider Muslim community.