Mechanical Solidarity in Maintaining Religious Tolerance

Common Word Study of the Values of Multicultural Islamic Education in Muslim, Christian, and Confucian Communities in Mojosari

Abstract

This article examines the role of mechanical solidarity in sustaining religious tolerance within the diverse communities of Muslims, Christians, and Confucians in Mojosari, East Java. Drawing from Émile Durkheim’s theoretical framework and the Islamic concept of common word, this study aims to understand how local values and multicultural Islamic education serve as the foundation of inclusive social cohesion. A qualitative approach with ethnographic methods was employed to explore interfaith social practices, the roles of religious leaders, and the values embedded in daily interactions. The findings reveal that mechanical solidarity in Mojosari is not based on religious uniformity but on shared social values such as cooperation, empathy, and respect, which transcend religious boundaries. These values are reinforced through interfaith forums, inclusive religious education, and moral leadership. The study concludes that mechanical solidarity can persist and be transformed within plural societies through the strengthening of shared values and locally rooted multicultural education. The practical implication of this research highlights the importance of developing curricula and social policies that foster interreligious collective awareness to sustain long-term social harmony.