Integrating the Concept of Unity in Diversity and Quranic Values in Multicultural Education to Foster Tolerance-Based Character in Indonesia

Abstract

The Republic of Indonesia is a diverse and pluralistic nation characterized by a multitude of ethnicities, races, and religions across its various regions comprising islands, thus earning its designation as an archipelagic state. This diversity served as the impetus for the nation's founding fathers to formulate a motto aimed at maintaining national stability, namely "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which conveys the notion of unity in diversity. The conceptual essence of the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika aligns with the sentiment expressed in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13 of the Qur'an, which states, "We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another," elucidating that Allah SWT created each individual uniquely to foster mutual respect, understanding, and coexistence without conflict. This research aims to analyze the relevance of the concept of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and the interpretation of Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, within the context of multicultural education, employing a qualitative descriptive approach. Utilizing a literature review methodology, this study gathers works related to the discussed subject matter. The findings of this research reveal that the realm of education has given rise to a movement for the reform of the educational system, emphasizing character education that appreciates the inherent differences among individuals, encompassing ethnicity, religion, and race. This is achieved by incorporating the meanings of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and the interpretation of Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, into the Indonesian educational system. The objective is to instill in students the values of tolerance, humanity, familial bonds, and justice, fostering a societal and national life that transcends individual origins.