Elderly as Agents of Da’wah Management: Strengthening Islamic and Cultural Values through Local Wisdom in Rural Communities of Bantul

Abstract

Da'wah is the process of conveying essential Islamic values to all generations, including the elderly. In rural communities, the elderly play a central role as guardians of tradition and sources of wisdom, making them potential agents of da'wah. However, modernization and institutional approaches often marginalize this role. On the other hand, rural communities are rich in local wisdom such as the yasinan (recitation of the Qur’an, tahlil (communal prayer gathering), and the majelis ta'lim (Islamic study groups), which are natural platforms for Islamic teachings. This study aims to optimize the role of the elderly in da'wah by integrating local wisdom into a participatory management framework. The approach used was a descriptive qualitative approach with a community-based participatory design in Mulyodadi Village. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, then analyzed thematically with a focus on forms of da'wah, challenges, and participatory strategies. Triangulation was used to ensure the validity of the findings. The results showed that da'wah bil hal (through role models) was the most effective method for elderly participation, where they contributed by encouraging congregational worship, joining study groups, and serving as moral role models. Mulyodadi Village demonstrates strong potential for developing an elderly-based da'wah model supported by local wisdom, religious institutions, and the village government. In conclusion, the participatory da'wah management model significantly empowers the elderly, contributing to the preservation of Islamic values and rural cultural heritage.