Living Religiously and The Paradox of Indonesia’s Democracy: Evidence from a Shariah Property Study in Semarang, Central Java

10.2478/bjlp-2023-0000042

Abstract

The manifestation of religion into daily life is crucial for Muslims, with the shariah way of life serving as a code of conduct for everyday living. It encompasses everything from clothing to housing. However, the notion of shariah has been marred by misconceptions and has endangered pluralism in many instances, particularly in Indonesia, where numerous Islamic activities have been observed that are detrimental to minority groups. This research aims to examine the phenomenon of shariah housing in Semarang City, Central Java Province, Indonesia. It aims to determine whether the establishment of shariah housing is driven by religious attitudes and the implementation of religious beliefs or if it is part of a larger movement or a marketing strategy. Data was collected through 20 interviews and analyzed using Atlas Ti. The results of the study indicate that the majority of respondents expressed a preference for shariah housing due to its location, Islamic values, and simple contract terms. The study highlights the potential for ideological hegemony and exclusivity values in the dominant society, which can threaten the heterogeneity of the identity of the Indonesian people and should be addressed in future research.