MADRASAH IN MUSLIM MINORITY: A STUDY ON ISLAMIC EDUCATION WEST PAPUA
Authors: Wekke Ismail Suardi 
Published: July 2018

Muslim minority exists in many part of Indonesia. Some areas that present muslim minority such as Menado in North Sulawesi, great area in Bali, Papua and West Papua at large. Those regions reflect that muslim live which is not similar with other muslim majority. Therefore, this research will explore madrasah in engaging empowering individual capacity in muslim minority. In short, this study will focus on madrasa role in enhancing muslim capacity in West Papua. This study conducted in West Papua Province. There are one city and twelve counties through the territory. Qualitative approach was utilized in multisite case study type. In-depth interview and non-participant observation were employed in collecting data. Field research was carried out on March to June 2013. Interview was performed with teacher, administrator, and educational bureaucracy. Furthermore, observation was presented in many activities, teaching and learning processes, and community development programs. Complementing data collection, focus group discussions were held in universities for series meeting. Another step to comply with triangulation is scholars consultation and peer-reviewed to ensure the research validity. This research shows that there are differentiation between muslim majority and minority in Indonesian society. Started from curriculum enhancement to program development formulate multicultural society. Self empowerment, entrepreneurship and skill improvement of movement were taken to ensure that madrasah establishments contribute to the society. Despite a controversial portrayal that media endorsed, madrasah and pesantren already demonstrate a great contribution during foundation of Indonesia in a nation. Madrasah also engage in civil society discourse, educational progress, promoting cultural awareness, and raising tolerance on religious variety. Through those activities, one of the major concerns is community development. This program was targeted to community educational awareness in madrasah surrounding area. They are running actions in term of basic need of those communities such as fishing, and farm treatment. In line up with those programs, it is to target the workforce problem. Muslim communities face high unskilled workers. Therefore, this program that ruined is one of the problem solving. On the other hand, religious understanding is also another concern. Students still need to attend classes in the morning to afternoon. They participate on those programs on evening and holidays. This progress is only to complement students‟ skill. However, tradition and culture are among problem in implementing those objectives. Communication and discussion effort were constructed to considerate appreciation. Observing the progress of madrasah in muslim minority is appropriate. It shows that there is a significant contribution to enhance muslim current modernity in the region. Moreover, there is respond towards ideas of change in dealing with environment and progress. Finally, madrasah take a part not only in education activities but also society empowerment; culturally based activities are keys in empowering and development.