Contextualizing Religious Moderation through Intercultural Communication: A Case Study of the Muslim Papuan Community in Sorong, Indonesia

This study aims to examine the dynamics of intercultural communication and the practice of religious moderation within the Muslim Papuan community in Sorong City, Southwest Papua. As a region rich in ethnic and cultural diversity, Sorong serves as a complex site of social interaction between Muslim Papuans and other societal groups, including both migrants and local non-Muslims. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation involving community leaders, religious figures, and Muslim Papuan residents. The findings reveal that intercultural communication within this community occurs adaptively and dialogically, characterized by tolerance, mutual respect for religious symbols, and the use of both local languages and Indonesian in fostering social relations. Meanwhile, religious moderation is reflected in a contextual understanding of Islam. The study affirms that the Muslim Papuan community in Sorong plays a vital role in maintaining social harmony and reinforcing intergroup cohesion through inclusive communication and a moderate religious outlook. These findings are expected to contribute to the development of intercultural communication models and the strengthening of religious moderation in multicultural regions of Indonesia. Nonetheless, the research is limited by its geographical focus on Sorong and a relatively small sample size, restricting the generalizability of the results. The implications suggest the need for policy frameworks that integrate local wisdom and dialogical approaches to enhance intercultural and interfaith harmony, particularly in highly diverse settings.