VIRTUAL SOCIO-RELIGIOUS EMPOWERMENT: ADDRESSING SOCIAL FIQH CHALLENGES AMONG MUSLIM YOUTH IN EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN

Abstract

Living as a Muslim minority in Europe presents complex socio-religious challenges for the Indonesian diaspora, particularly youth who must constantly navigate secular legal frameworks and diverse cultural norms. To address these daily practical dilemmas, the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah Youth Association in Europe and Mediterranean, in collaboration with PCIM Hungary, implemented a cross-border digital community engagement initiative. This program featured an interactive webinar focused on "Social Fiqh in Muslim-Minority Countries," led by an Islamic legal expert from the Muhammadiyah Tarjih and Tajdid Council. Utilizing an asset-based digital community development approach via Zoom, the webinar connected diaspora participants across various European countries. The results yielded critical theological and contextual frameworks, providing actionable guidance on issues ranging from local social integration to ritual flexibility in non-Muslim environments. This initiative significantly enhanced the religious literacy and psychological resilience of the diaspora youth. By framing Islam as an adaptive, progressive, and moderate way of life (wasathiyah), the program successfully empowered young Muslims to confidently balance their religious identity with active civic participation in their host countries, thereby strengthening the transnational support network of the Muhammadiyah diaspora.