Communication Opportunities and Challenges of the El Himmah Community in Increasing Students’ Interest in Islamic Studies

Abstract

Komunikasi organisasi memiliki peran penting dalam membangun pengenalan, partisipasi, dan keberlanjutan komunitas dakwah di lingkungan perguruan tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peluang dan tantangan komunikasi Komunitas El Himmah dalam meningkatkan minat mahasiswa terhadap kajian keislaman di UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan perspektif Community of Practice. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dengan ketua umum, pengurus, dan anggota aktif, serta didukung oleh observasi dan dokumentasi kegiatan, serta publikasi di media sosial komunitas. Data dianalisis melalui reduksi, penyajian, serta penarikan dan verifikasi kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komunikasi El Himmah berlangsung melalui interaksi kelompok, koordinasi organisasi, pembelajaran antardivisi, serta publikasi kegiatan dan prestasi melalui media digital. Peluang komunikasi didukung oleh identitas visual yang konsisten, budaya apresiasi, dukungan dosen, serta keberagaman program pembinaan. Adapun tantangannya meliputi rendahnya pengenalan komunitas, persepsi bahwa keanggotaan terbatas bagi mahasiswa berlatar pesantren atau fakultas tertentu, serta kompleksitas arus komunikasi antarunit organisasi. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa integrasi komunikasi internal, publikasi digital, dan penguatan citra inklusif merupakan strategi penting untuk memperluas partisipasi mahasiswa dalam kajian keislaman   Organizational communication plays a crucial role in fostering awareness, participation, and the sustainability of da’wah communities within university settings. This study analyzes the opportunities and challenges the El Himmah Community faces in increasing student interest in Islamic studies at UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach from a Community of Practice perspective. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the chairperson, executive board members, and active members, supplemented by observations and documentation of activities, as well as the community’s social media posts. Data were analyzed through reduction, presentation, and the derivation and verification of conclusions. The results indicate that El Himmah communicates through group interactions, organizational coordination, cross-divisional learning, and publishing activities and achievements through digital media. A consistent visual identity, a culture of appreciation, faculty support, and diverse development programs support communication opportunities. Challenges include low community awareness, the perception that membership is limited to students with a pesantren background or from certain faculties, and the complexity of communication flows between organizational units. This study affirms that integrating internal communication, digital publications, and a stronger inclusive image are key strategies for expanding student participation in Islamic studies.