The Role of Religious Education in Ensuring Social Peace

Abstract

This study conceptually examines the role of religious education in promoting social peace by integrating Islamic principles with contemporary educational approaches. Adopting a qualitative and literature-based methodology, the research explores how religious education contributes to individuals’ moral development, empathy, coexistence consciousness, and social responsibility. The study discusses key dimensions through which religious education strengthens social harmony, including the nurturing of innate belief (fitrah), personality and character development, the enhancement of moral awareness, and the cultivation of respect for diversity. In addition, the research highlights historical and contemporary Islamic perspectives—such as the Qur’anic emphasis on mutual acquaintance (ta‘āruf), freedom of belief, and solidarity—as foundational elements supporting social peace. Classical examples from Islamic civilization and the Ottoman millet system are revisited to illustrate how religious education historically fostered coexistence among diverse communities. Contemporary educational frameworks, particularly insights from the Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli (TYMM), are briefly considered to demonstrate how values-based and empathy-centered approaches can enhance the social function of religious education without making TYMM the central focus. The findings suggest that effective religious education cultivates individuals who are morally sensitive, socially responsible, and capable of engaging peacefully in diverse societies. Overall, religious education emerges as a transformative domain that supports national unity, global understanding, and sustainable social peace.