NEW RELIGIOSITY TREND AMONG MINORITY MUSLIMS: THE CASE OF PONDOK PESANTREN WARIA AL FATAH IN YOGYAKARTA

Abstract

This research explores the phenomenon of the Al-Fatah transgender Islamic boarding school in Yogyakarta as a representation of a new trend of religiosity among Muslim minorities. Through a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews and participant observation, this research reveals how the Islamic boarding school has become a space for waria to express their religious and gender identities simultaneously. The findings show that this Islamic boarding school creates an inclusive community that allows waria to feel spiritual closeness without fear of social stigma. Apart from that, this Islamic boarding school also provides religious training and daily life skills, strengthening the independence and empowerment of waria socially and economically. The results of this research provide new insight into the dynamics of minority religiosity in Indonesia and the importance of inclusion in creating space for all individuals to express their beliefs and identities. With systematic research, a model for establishing Islamic learning institutions for minority and marginalized groups can be adapted from the Pesantren Waria to be implemented in other communities.