The Relevance of Wasathiyah of the Mejelis Tafsir Alquran Surakarta in Building National Unity

Abstract

This article reveals the relevance of the wasathiyah concept of the Majelis Tafsir Alquran (MTA) version with moderation in Indonesia as well as efforts to build community unity in Surakarta. This research utilizes hermeneutic knowledge as an approach, namely as an interpretive tool to gain understanding and applicative experience, besides supported by critical theory as a tool for criticism and suspicion of the pattern of religious life in the Surakarta area in an effort to create unity and strengthen national identity. The study and investigation of this research shows a moderation principle of the Qur'anic Interpretation Council’s version in three respects; first, moderation in theological aspects between atheism and polytheism; second, in the aspect of worship, the principle of convenience and consistency with divine provisions by not adding and subtracting or placing individuals above society in the interests of the congregation, unity and integrity under the values ​​of the Qur'an and al-Hadith. The three moderations of the MTA’s version are based on dogmatic normative principles and ethics where absolute truth is the transcendent value ​​taught by Islam in the Qur'an and al-Hadith. As a conclusion, this research recommends the moderate vision of the MTA to further emphasize the internal vision of the organization and the need to build the strength of the moderate vision argument to the outside