The Approach of Local Wisdom Accelerates Religious Moderation

This study addresses the persistent challenges of intolerance in Indonesia by examining how local wisdom accelerates the practice of religious moderation. Unlike previous studies that primarily describe moderation as a normative concept, this research highlights mechanisms through which local cultural practices actively strengthen inclusive religious attitudes. Employing a descriptive–analytical qualitative approach, data were collected through observations, interviews, and literature review within the Rusunawa Marunda community in North Jakarta. Findings demonstrate that local wisdom facilitates moderation by embedding cooperative norms, conflict-avoidance values, and shared cultural identity in residents’ daily interactions. These mechanisms operate through associative social patterns—cooperation, adaptation, assimilation, and acculturation—that reduce social distance and expedite trust-building among diverse groups. This process is reflected in community initiatives such as cross-religious alms distribution, inclusive worship facilities, multicultural festivals involving local MSMEs, and revitalization of Betawi arts as social bonding media. The novelty of this study lies in its model, which demonstrates that religious harmony emerges not only from formal discourse but also from culturally grounded practices that reinforce social cohesion. The Marunda model offers a practical framework for other communities seeking to operationalize religious moderation through their local potentials.