Religious moderation in Instagram: An Islamic interpretation perspective

Religious freedom and plurality remain major challenges in Indonesia, with both authorities and social media influencers involved. One potential solution is integrating moderation into religious activities, especially through platforms like Instagram. Radicalism in Indonesia, particularly among youth, is fueled by extremist narratives, events like the 2018 Surabaya bombings, and the return of ISIS recruits. This highlights the need for research into religious moderation and extremism prevention. The Surabaya bombings, which targeted civilians, and the return of around 1,000 Indonesians who joined ISIS have escalated the threat of radicalization. Surveys show that about 7.7 % of Indonesians, or 600,000 people, are open to radical activities, making it urgent to address radicalism with religious moderation as a counter-narrative. This study focuses on religious moderation in Qur'anic interpretation and explores the role of social media in promoting moderation. Instagram's effectiveness in encouraging religious moderation is analyzed using a descriptive-qualitative approach, investigating various sources and publications. Instagram promotes a more inclusive and harmonious society by fostering tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect. The study highlights how Instagram's religious moderation initiatives provide balanced perspectives across different beliefs, helping to spread understanding and combat extremism. With its broad reach, especially in Indonesia, Instagram is an effective tool for promoting messages of moderation and supporting diversity and peace.