Zulkarnain Suleman

Zulfitri Zulkarnain Suleman

 

Abstract: The role of Islamic law to optimise and protect the diversity of Indonesian cultural values is crucial to understand the present cultural characteristics of the Indonesian society. As this optimisation has happened organically, it requires closer investigation to fully understand and appreciate the evolved cultural characteristics of a diverse Indonesian population, particularly of those living in the coastal areas. This article fills this gap by examining the Islamic law based transformation of local cultural values and the instillation of Islamic values based characteristics in the coastal communities in Gorontalo, Indonesia. It builds a transformation model using qualitative methods including literature review and interviews. The interviewees include officials of the district government, cultural practitioners, academicians, and members of different communities in Gorontalo. The examination in the article finds that Islamic law and values, alongside the practice of mohuyula (mutual cooperation), have played an important role in transforming the culture of local communities in the Gorontalo coastal area. This article further finds that such transformation is not only consistent with the Pancasila principles adopted in the Indonesian constitution but also strengthens and optimises the local cultural values in line with the Islamic law and values.