Revitalizing The Petang Megang Tradition as a Strategy for Preventing Religious Extremism among Adolescents in Pekanbaru

Abstract

The increasing vulnerability of adolescents to the spread of religious extremist ideologies has highlighted the need for prevention strategies that extend beyond repressive or security-oriented approaches by strengthening local socio-cultural values. This study examines the revitalization of the Petang Megang tradition as a culturally grounded strategy for preventing religious extremism among adolescents in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, document analysis, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving traditional leaders, religious leaders, educators, local government officials, parents, cultural activists, and adolescents. The data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, encompassing data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings reveal that the Petang Megang tradition embodies values of social cohesion, tolerance, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), social connectedness (silaturahmi), religious moderation, and respect for local cultural heritage, all of which contribute to strengthening adolescents' social resilience against the influence of extremist ideologies. Nevertheless, processes of modernization, the rapid expansion of digital media, and shifting cultural orientations have reduced younger generations' understanding of the tradition's philosophical meaning and social significance. Accordingly, revitalizing the Petang Megang tradition requires strengthening local culture-based education, actively engaging adolescents as custodians and practitioners of cultural heritage, integrating local traditions into educational curricula, utilizing digital media for cultural dissemination, and fostering collaboration among government institutions, educational institutions, traditional and religious leaders, families, and the wider community. This study concludes that revitalizing the Petang Megang tradition represents an effective culturally based approach to promoting religious moderation, fostering inclusive character development among adolescents, and preventing the spread of religious extremism in Pekanbaru City.