Conservative and Liberal Islamic Educational Ideology

Abstract

The development of contemporary Islamic education is confronted with an ideological debate between conservative and liberal approaches in responding to modern social and scientific dynamics. Conservative Islamic education emphasizes the preservation of tradition, the authority of religious texts, and the stability of moral values, whereas liberal Islamic education promotes contextual interpretation, freedom of thought, and critical dialogue. These differing orientations generate tensions in curriculum design, instructional methods, teacher authority, and the relationship between religion and modern knowledge. This study aims to analyze the characteristics, contributions, and implications of both ideologies in the development of Islamic education. The research employs a qualitative method with a library research approach, analyzing classical and contemporary literature on Islamic education and educational ideology. The findings indicate that conservatism plays a significant role in maintaining Islamic identity and fundamental values, while liberalism contributes to intellectual renewal and educational adaptation to social change. Future research is recommended to explore models of ideological synthesis capable of fostering Islamic education that is moderate, value-oriented, and contextually responsive.