Local Islamic Policy in Post-Reform Indonesia: A Critical Study of the Gerbang Marhamah Initiative in Cianjur, West Java

Abstract

This study explores the Gerbang Marhamah (Movement for the Development of a Morally Upright Society) initiative in Cianjur Regency, West Java, as a distinctive example of localized Islamic policymaking. Rooted in a strong socio-religious context, Gerbang Marhamah functions both as a moral project and a political strategy that institutionalises Islamic values within local governance. Using a qualitative approach, the research draws on in-depth interviews with religious leaders, local government officials, and community members, complemented by document analysis and participant observation. The findings demonstrate that the policy is shaped by the interaction of religious networks, political agency, and local cultural idioms. While Gerbang Marhamah has effectively embedded Islamic moral discourse into public administration, it has also generated tensions concerning inclusivity, institutionalisation, and community acceptance. This study contributes to debates on Islamic governance in decentralised systems, challenges the secular–religious policy dichotomy in Muslim-majority democracies, and highlights the crucial role of local religious authorities and civic engagement in shaping faith-based public policy.