Institutionalizing Islamic Education Reform: The Role of Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama in Promoting Moderate Islam in Morocco

Abstract

Morocco has emerged as one of the leading models of moderate Islamic education in the contemporary Muslim world through the integration of classical Islamic scholarship and modern educational reform. Previous studies on Islamic institutions in Morocco have predominantly focused on state religious policies and traditional Islamic education, while limited attention has been given to the institutional role of Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama in promoting moderate Islam and educational transformation. This study aims to analyze the role of Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama in institutionalizing Islamic education reform and strengthening wasathiyah (moderate) Islam in Morocco. The research employs a qualitative library research approach by examining books, journal articles, institutional reports, and official documents related to Islamic education and religious moderation in Morocco. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify the organization’s strategic roles and contributions. The findings reveal that Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama plays a significant role in curriculum reform, scholar and teacher training, interfaith dialogue, and the dissemination of inclusive Islamic values through educational and social programs. The institution also contributes to strengthening religious moderation and countering extremism in contemporary Moroccan society. This study contributes to contemporary Islamic studies by demonstrating how Islamic institutions can negotiate tradition and modernity while preserving religious legitimacy in the global era.

[Maroko muncul sebagai salah satu model utama pendidikan Islam moderat di dunia Muslim kontemporer melalui integrasi tradisi keilmuan Islam klasik dan reformasi pendidikan modern. Penelitian terdahulu mengenai institusi Islam di Maroko lebih banyak berfokus pada kebijakan keagamaan negara dan pendidikan Islam tradisional, sementara kajian tentang peran institusional Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama dalam mempromosikan Islam moderat dan transformasi pendidikan masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama dalam menginstitusionalisasikan reformasi pendidikan Islam dan memperkuat Islam wasathiyah di Maroko. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi pustaka melalui telaah buku, artikel jurnal, laporan kelembagaan, dan dokumen resmi terkait pendidikan Islam dan moderasi beragama di Maroko. Data dianalisis menggunakan thematic content analysis untuk mengidentifikasi peran strategis dan kontribusi organisasi tersebut. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Rabithah Muhammadiyah lil Ulama memiliki peran penting dalam reformasi kurikulum, pelatihan ulama dan guru, dialog antaragama, serta penyebaran nilai-nilai Islam inklusif melalui program pendidikan dan sosial. Institusi ini juga berkontribusi dalam memperkuat moderasi beragama dan menangkal ekstremisme di masyarakat Maroko kontemporer. Penelitian ini berkontribusi pada studi Islam kontemporer dengan menunjukkan bagaimana institusi Islam mampu menegosiasikan tradisi dan modernitas tanpa kehilangan legitimasi keagamaan di era global.]