Learning for Strengthening Religious Awareness: A Phenomenological Study at The Fahd Turki Mosque Majelis Taklim, Indonesia

Majelis Taklim, as a form of non-formal Islamic education, play a strategic role in shaping religious consciousness, particularly among adult and elderly groups. However, the process of internalising religious values within such informal learning spaces has not been sufficiently explored from the perspective of participants’ lived experiences. This study aims to reveal the essential structure of religious learning experiences in a majelis taklim as a process of strengthening religious awareness. Employing a qualitative phenomenological-descriptive-psychological approach, the research engaged three active participants of the Fahd Turki Mosque Majelis Taklim in Paciran, Lamongan, through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that religious learning in the majelis taklim unfolds as a transformative psychospiritual process. Participants’ religious awareness develops through existential motivation, a supportive and contextual learning environment, the inspirational role of teachers, profound emotional and spiritual experiences, and reflective strategies in overcoming obstacles. The transformation experienced includes enhanced critical awareness, emotional regulation, behavioural change, and a stronger orientation toward the hereafter. This study affirms that community-based non-formal Islamic education has significant potential in fostering a mature and sustainable religious identity.The results contribute theoretically to phenomenological studies of Islamic education and provide practical implications for developing more reflective, contextual, and transformative learning designs in majelis taklim.