Empowering Young Da’i through Digital Literacy Training for Promoting Islamic Moderation

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this community service activity is to improve the digital literacy skills of young preachers (da’i), enabling them to deliver messages of Islamic moderation effectively through social media. The program focuses on teaching how to use digital platforms wisely, creatively, and ethically in addressing the challenges of da’wah in the digital age. Theoretical framework: The framework combines media literacy with Islamic moderation, focusing on the ethical use of digital platforms to convey balanced, peaceful Islamic messages. It also covers digital content creation and communication strategies for the modern media landscape. Literature review: The literature emphasizes the role of social media in religious outreach and the need for ethical content creation. It highlights how digital literacy is crucial for young religious leaders to engage effectively with a broader audience and bridge the gap between traditional teachings and modern media. Methods: The program consisted of a two-day training, including theoretical lessons on Islamic moderation and digital media, along with practical exercises in content creation. Participants learned to manage da’wah social media accounts and create ethical, inclusive content. Results: The training led to significant improvements in participants’ skills, particularly in managing social media accounts, creating ethical and inclusive content, and using digital platforms effectively. Participants demonstrated a better understanding of media ethics and the ability to deliver balanced Islamic messages that align with moderation. Implications: The program shows that integrating digital literacy into religious education can empower young preachers to use social media effectively for positive da’wah, promoting peace and tolerance. It offers a model that other religious institutions could adopt. Novelty: This initiative combines traditional Islamic teachings with modern digital media skills, offering a new approach to religious outreach in the digital era. It provides a pioneering model for training young preachers in digital da’wah.