BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal
type: channel
description: BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal Journal Title : BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal ISSN : 3025-9118 (online) DOI Prefix : 10.30983/belief Editor in Chief : Tyka Rahman, M.Si Managing Editor : Khairul Amin, S.Ag., M.Phil. Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi Frequency : 2 issues per year (June and December) Citation Analysis : Scopus | SINTA | Google Scholar <img src="[binary]" /> BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed academic journal that explores the social dimensions of religion in contemporary societies. Published by the Sociology of Religion Study Program, Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Da’wah, Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia, the journal appears twice a year (June and December) and follows a double-blind peer-review process to maintain the highest standards of academic quality and research integrity. BELIEF seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the role, function, and transformation of religion within diverse social, cultural, political, educational, and economic contexts. It provides an open platform for sociologists, scholars of religion, activists, and researchers to share ideas and present empirical as well as theoretical studies that address the dynamic interactions between religion and society. The journal particularly encourages research that highlights the significance of religion in shaping social change, identity, and public life. The journal’s scope encompasses a wide range of topics, including but not limited to Religion and Culture, Religion and Politics, Religion and Education, Religion and Economy, Religion and Health, Religion and Equality, Digital Religion, Conflict and Peace, and Religion and Ecology. Through these areas of study, BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal aims to advance global academic discourse on the sociological understanding of religion and its evolving role in modern society. Journa…
publisher: UIN Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi
language: en-US
publication name: BELIEF: Sociology of Religion Journal
issn: 3025-9118
items: Faith, Ritual, and Social Boundaries: An Analysis of Religious Behavior in the An-Nadzir Community of South Sulawesi
items: Religious Understanding among Foster Children through Social and Spiritual Guidance Programs at the Aisyiyah Orphanage, Matur, West Sumatra
items: Between Faith and Psychiatry: A Sociological Inquiry into the Use of Roqya for Mental Disorders
items: Digitalising Religious Practice: Community Engagement in Qurban Rituals at Masjid Jogokariyan
items: Ratib Samman as a Local Islamic Ritual: Religious Meaning, Moral Discipline, and Social Solidarity in Minangkabau Society
items: Latent Social Capital in the Marpege-Pege Wedding Tradition
items: Negotiating Faith and Culture: The Mauludhu Tradition in Bau-Bau amid Global Disruption
items: Religion as Legitimacy and Hypocrisy: Analysis of the Drama Series Bidaah

Faith, Ritual, and Social Boundaries: An Analysis of Religious Behavior in the An-Nadzir Community of South Sulawesi
type: item
description: This study aims to analyze the religious behavior of the An-Nadzir community in Romang Lompoa Village, Bontomarannu District, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. The focus of the research is directed at the dimensions of religious behavior, influencing factors, and its social implications in the context of the local community. The research method uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation of five key informants consisting of religious figures, community leaders, and ordinary members. Data analysis was conducted using thematic methods, complemented by source and method triangulation techniques to maintain validity. The results show that the religious behavior of the An-Nadzir community includes a cognitive dimension in the form of belief in the importance of upholding Allah's law and the sunnah of the Prophet; an emotional dimension that brings peace and spiritual experience to members; and a behavioral dimension in the form of the Latiful Akbar dhikr ritual, distinctive prayer procedures, and outward symbols such as turbans, veils, and blond hair. The community structure is organized through hierarchical leadership centered on an amir. Interactions with the outside community are relatively harmonious through mutual cooperation and economic engagement, although the community often faces stigma and criticism. The study's conclusions confirm that the An-Nadzir community is able to survive as a minority religious group through internal solidarity, social openness, and resilience in maintaining its religious identity. These findings contribute to the literature on minority religiosity in Indonesia and offer practical implications for strengthening pluralism and social tolerance.
creator: Andi Dody May Putra Agustang
creator: Muhammad Nur
creator: Indriani
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Andi Dody May Putra Agustang, Muhammad Nur, Indriani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2025-12-31
publication date: 2025-12-31
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 69
ending page: 81
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10116

Religious Understanding among Foster Children through Social and Spiritual Guidance Programs at the Aisyiyah Orphanage, Matur, West Sumatra
type: item
description: This research is motivated by the need to understand the level of religious understanding among foster children in carrying out social and spiritual guidance activities, as reflected in their behavior and their ability to comprehend and apply what they learn. Education is not only acquired through formal institutions but also through informal settings, such as activities conducted in orphanages, which serve as compulsory supplementary educational programs for foster children. This study aims to analyze the religious understanding developed through social and spiritual guidance activities at the Aisyiyah Matur Branch Orphanage. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach. The informants consist of foster children, caregivers, and administrators within the orphanage environment. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The theoretical framework used in this study is Talcott Parsons’ structural functionalism theory, particularly the AGIL (Adaptation, Goal Attainment, Integration, and Latency) scheme. The findings indicate that the level of religious understanding among foster children varies. Some foster children demonstrate a low level of religious understanding in participating in social and spiritual guidance activities, as evidenced by behaviors such as joking with peers, sleeping during activities, or not participating at all. These conditions are influenced by factors such as busy schedules, boredom, and less engaging learning methods. However, other foster children are able to internalize and apply the religious values they learn, enabling them to demonstrate positive behavior and compete with children outside the orphanage environment.
creator: Nurdeli Indah Sari
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Nurdeli Indah Sari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-01-06
publication date: 2026-01-06
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 82
ending page: 87
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.9834

Between Faith and Psychiatry: A Sociological Inquiry into the Use of Roqya for Mental Disorders
type: item
description: This paper aims to show the relationship between cultural and religious interpretations of mental disorders and the use of spiritual healing practices. The interest of this study lies in understanding how these interpretations can guide curative choice, especially in the Moroccan context, where modern medicine coexists with traditional and religious practices. Interrogating these explanations in the hospital context, where two completely distinct conceptions may come into conflict, is an essential and novel task. Through a qualitative approach and with the use of interviews conducted with families of patients hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital in the city of Fez, this work highlights the presence of supernatural conceptions of mental disorders in the participants, such as possession, the evil eye, and witchcraft. Thus, it is evident that these conceptions have led to the adoption of a healing practice based on Koranic recitations, known as Roqya. This research is not intended to be generalized due to the small sample size; its results represent the experiences of the participants interviewed within the context of the study. However, the significance of it lies in the fact that it stresses the importance of a medical approach that is open to cultural interpretations of mental disorders and aware of their impact on patients' choices.
creator: Laila El Boutahiri
creator: Mohamed Fadil
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Laila El Boutahiri, Mohamed Fadil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-01-13
publication date: 2026-01-13
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 88
ending page: 100
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10313

Digitalising Religious Practice: Community Engagement in Qurban Rituals at Masjid Jogokariyan
type: item
description: The development of modern technology has brought significant changes in the implementation of religious community worship. The challenge is how mosques, as religious institutions, can respond to this transformation without compromising the core values of their teachings. This study examines how mosques influence community involvement in qurbani worship and how mosques manage these activities in a modern context while still benefiting the community. The purpose of this study is to analyze the form of digitalization applied and its impact on the participation of the ummah in the implementation of qurbani worship. The method employed is field research, with observation as the data-collection technique. The results of this study show that digitalization, such as online registration, qurbani management information systems, and real-time reporting, has increased transparency, trust, and community involvement in the implementation of qurbani worship. Thus, the digitalization implemented at the Jogokariyan mosque strengthens religious community engagement and underscores the mosque's role as a public service grounded in religious values, adapted to contemporary contexts.
creator: Zerin Amalina
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Zerin Amalina https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-01-14
publication date: 2026-01-14
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 101
ending page: 114
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10228

Ratib Samman as a Local Islamic Ritual: Religious Meaning, Moral Discipline, and Social Solidarity in Minangkabau Society
type: item
description: This study examines Ratib Samman as a local Islamic ritual practiced in Jorong Salimpariak, West Sumatra, and analyzes its significance from the perspective of the sociology of religion. Using a qualitative approach that combines participant observation, in-depth interviews, and textual analysis of ritual recitations (radai), this research explores how Ratib Samman functions as a form of lived Islam embedded in local social life. The findings show that Ratib Samman is not merely a devotional practice but a multifaceted ritual that reinforces social solidarity, transmits moral and religious values, and shapes embodied religious dispositions. The use of religious poetry and synchronized bodily movements enables participants to internalize theological teachings while fostering collective identity and moral discipline. Furthermore, the ritual plays an important role in providing meaning and emotional support for individuals and families, illustrating how religious practices respond to social and existential concerns. This study contributes to the sociology of religion by demonstrating that local Islamic rituals should be understood as active social processes rather than passive outcomes of cultural acculturation. By foregrounding ritual practice, embodiment, and symbolic meaning, the study offers insight into how religion continues to shape moral life and social cohesion in contemporary Muslim communities.
creator: Prima Dini Susanti
creator: Silfia Hanani
creator: Muhammad Taufik
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Prima Dini Susanti, Silfia Hanani, Muhammad Taufik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-01-14
publication date: 2026-01-14
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 115
ending page: 125
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.9262

Latent Social Capital in the Marpege-Pege Wedding Tradition
type: item
description: This research explores the Marpege-pege tradition in traditional Angkola Batak weddings as a social mechanism that addresses the high costs of marriage, especially the bridewealth obligation (tuhor). Conducted in Sialogo Village, West Angkola District, South Tapanuli Regency, the study focuses on (1) how the Marpege-pege tradition is practiced and (2) its role in the community. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach and Robert K. Merton’s structural functionalism framework, data were gathered through observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation with community members. Results reveal that Marpege-pege is a coordinated collective effort of monetary contributions organized by the groom’s family, involving stages: Manyapai Boru, Marpege-pege, and Pataru Tuhor. From a functionalist view, this tradition has an obvious role in easing wedding expenses. Additionally, it fosters latent functions like enhanced social solidarity, stronger community bonds, and the preservation of cultural values across generations. These latent functions bolster social capital by supporting reciprocal relationships and collective responsibility within the community. The study concludes that Marpege-pege is more than just an economic tactic; it is a culturally embedded tradition that sustains social cohesion and cultural continuity in Angkola Batak society.
creator: Nurhalimah Nasution
creator: Syafwan Rozi
creator: Penmardianto
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Nurhalimah Nasution, Syafwan Rozi, Penmardianto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-01-23
publication date: 2026-01-23
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 126
ending page: 134
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10066

Negotiating Faith and Culture: The Mauludhu Tradition in Bau-Bau amid Global Disruption
type: item
description: This study explores the Mauludhu tradition in Bau-Bau as a means of integrating Islamic principles with local culture, showing resilience amid global disruptions. Mauludhu, celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) birth, is both a religious rite and a cultural event that bonds the community. In Bau-Bau, it emphasizes local uniqueness through traditional foods, cultural processions, and cross-generational participation. Amid challenges like climate change, digital shifts, and social fragmentation, Mauludhu adapts by preserving its spiritual core while responding to modern changes. The research uses a qualitative method, including literature review and documentation, to analyze symbolic meanings, implementation dynamics, and social functions. Results indicate that the tradition helps preserve Islamic values, strengthen social ties, and educate younger generations culturally. The incorporation of digital media and youth involvement shows how the tradition evolves to stay relevant. Overall, Bau-Bau’s Mauludhu demonstrates that religion and local culture are adaptable and dynamic forces capable of maintaining their identities amid globalization. It stands as a pillar of cultural resilience and religious devotion in a rapidly changing world.
creator: Hasni Hasan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Hasni Hasan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-02-02
publication date: 2026-02-02
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 135
ending page: 144
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10204

Religion as Legitimacy and Hypocrisy: Analysis of the Drama Series Bidaah
type: item
description: Bidaah is a Malaysian drama series released on March 6, 2025, and aired on the VIU and Trans TV Indonesia platforms since June 2, 2025. In short, this drama series tells the story of Islamic religious practices taught by religious leaders, but considered unnatural and deviant because they use religious doctrine to legitimize personal interests. This study uses Tzevetan Torodov's analysis theory and Michel Foucault's theory of power. Tzevetan Torodov's theory is used to explain the plot of the drama series in a structured manner and to reveal the elements of religious legitimacy and hypocrisy in it. Michel Foucault's theory of power is used to explain the existence of knowledge that goes hand in hand with power, which unconsciously gives rise to certain understandings. This study uses a qualitative approach by conducting a digital study as the primary data source. In addition, secondary data sources are also needed in the form of books and journals with relevant themes as supporting references. The results of this study show that religion as a form of legitimacy and hypocrisy is depicted in the drama series Bidaah in the form of religious teachings that are used to fulfill personal interests.
creator: Annisa Rahmalia Dardiri
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Annisa Rahmalia Dardiri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
date: 2026-02-02
publication date: 2026-02-02
volume: 3
number: 2
starting page: 145
ending page: 156
doi: 10.30983/belief.v3i2.10242