The Dialectic of Islam Nusantara and Globalization: Transforming Religious Practices of Nahdlatul Ulama

Abstract

This study examines the dialectical relationship between Islam Nusantara and globalization through the lens of Homi K. Bhabha's Hybridity Theory, focusing on the transformation of Nahdlatul Ulama's religious practices within the context of global modernity in Indonesia. This research employs library research methodology to analyze how traditional Islamic organizations navigate between preserving local Islamic traditions and adapting to global influences. The study reveals that Nahdlatul Ulama has developed a sophisticated strategy of cultural negotiation that creates a “third space” where new hybrid identities emerge. Through the process of cultural translation, traditional Islamic values are reinterpreted and adapted to modern contexts without losing their essential characteristics. The findings demonstrate that NU's approach to modernity is characterized by ambivalence- simultaneously accepting and rejecting certain aspects of globalization. This hybrid approach enables the organization to maintain its traditional roots while engaging constructively with contemporary challenges, creating innovative religious practices that blend local wisdom with global perspectives.

Keywords: Islam Nusantara; Globalization; Hybridity Theory; Nahdlatul Ulama; Cultural Translation; Third Space