The Role of Islamic Religious Education in Changing the Money Politics Paradigm

This paper highlights the significance of addressing the practice of money politics in Indonesian elections through Islamic Religious Education, emphasizing its potential to promote ethical awareness and encourage integrity in political behavior. The main focus is on how Islamic religious education, which teaches ethical values, honesty, justice, and blessings, can help change the paradigm of money politics. This study employs a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, analyzing how Islamic Religious Education fosters ethical awareness and shapes political behavior to address money politics, based on data collected from a range of relevant literature. It was found that Islamic Religious Education teachers can act as motivators, informants, and facilitators, guiding students on the negative impacts of money politics practices and fostering emotional intelligence that helps them be sensitive to unethical practices. In addition, Islamic education teaches the principles of morality and justice that can be a guideline in elections. However, this study also identifies challenges in the practical implementation of Islamic religious values in daily life, including in the context of politics and elections. The study highlights the importance of education in shaping the character and morals of individuals, which has a positive impact on political and economic life.