Religious Moderation Based on Kalwedo Culture at SMA Negeri 13 Maluku Barat Daya, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Communities in Southwest Maluku regard Kalwedo as a symbol of social cohesion that possesses the power to unite the diversity held by each member of society.  Kalwedo serves as a foundation for embracing, gathering, uniting, and synergizing people across different customary arrangements to mutually respect and accept one another.  The Kalwedo culture that thrives among the people of Southwest Maluku aligns with the concept of religious moderation promoted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.  Religious moderation aims to cultivate Indonesians who are moderate toward the diversity inherent in each individual.  This study was conducted at SMA Negeri 13 Southwest Maluku with the objective of examining the understanding and practice of religious moderation based on Kalwedo culture.  Using a qualitative method, the findings reveal that students at SMA Negeri 13 Southwest Maluku are unfamiliar with the concept of religious moderation.  The concepts they do understand are tolerance, diversity, and, notably, Kalwedo culture.  The practice of religious moderation through Kalwedo values has been carried out in various forms of activities, both those with religious nuances and those of a social and cultural nature, within the school environment and the broader community.